Biden nominates Cissie Graham Lynch as religious freedom ambassador

Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of evangelical icon Billy Graham, has been nominated by President Biden to serve as the United States’ ambassador for religious freedom. The nomination was announced on Tuesday, marking the first time the position has been filled since the second Trump administration left it vacant in early 2021. Lynch will be the first woman and the first person from a prominent religious family to hold the post.

The ambassador for religious freedom is a senior State Department role that monitors persecution of faith communities worldwide and reports to Congress. The office was created in 2009 but has been empty for two years, raising concerns that the U.S. is losing a key diplomatic tool. Biden’s decision reflects a broader push to strengthen America’s human‑rights agenda amid rising religious oppression in countries such as China, Iran and Myanmar.

Lynch’s nomination will go to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a hearing. Senators will ask her about her experience, her plans for engaging with allies, and how she will balance domestic religious freedoms with international advocacy. Religious leaders across the spectrum have welcomed the move, citing the legacy of her grandfather’s outreach and the need for a dedicated voice on the global stage. Critics, however, warn that the role could become politicized or that the office’s influence is limited without robust funding.

If confirmed, Lynch would begin work in Washington, D.C. and travel to embassies worldwide. She would coordinate with the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom and provide quarterly reports to Congress. The appointment signals a renewed U.S. commitment to protecting faith communities and could set a precedent for future administrations to prioritize religious liberty as a central pillar of foreign policy.