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CV NEWS FEED // A leading religious freedom advocate celebrated Marco Rubio’s appointment as Secretary of State, writing that it indicated President Donald Trump’s ongoing commitment to protecting religious freedom.
Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), stated, “As a long-term defender of human rights with extensive experience working alongside U.S. legislators, and specifically with Senator Rubio, leads me to hold Senator Rubio in the highest regard,” according to a Jan. 28 press release from Hamilton Strategies.
“His appointment as head of State signals not only a continuation of but an elevation of President Trump’s first-term commitment to religious freedom,” King continued. “Rubio’s track record and dedication give me full confidence in his ability to lead. His role demonstrates that this administration will continue to be at the forefront of advocating for the most fundamental of freedoms: religious freedom.”
Established in 1995, the ICC aids persecuted Christians around the world through the organization’s three branches — assistance, advocacy, and awareness — their website states. King has served as president of the organization since 2003.
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The United States Commission of International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) also welcomed Rubio’s appointment.
“As senator, Secretary Rubio was a champion for international religious freedom,” USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck said. “Not only was he the Senate sponsor of USCIRF’s bipartisan reauthorization in 2024, but he also worked tirelessly to confront global violations of this fundamental human right for people of every belief and everywhere in the world, especially in China, Nicaragua, and Cuba.”
USCIRF Vice Chair Eric Ueland added that former Secretary of State Anthony Blinken “failed to make country and entity designations as required by the International Religious Freedom Act.”
“The responsibility to make designations for 2024 now falls to Secretary Rubio,” he said. “We look forward to working with him on this and other important international religious freedom policies going forward.”
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