U.S. Senators Ted Budd and Tim Kaine, along with Representatives Riley Moore and Thomas Suozzi, led a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Mar. 25 in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to advocate for the release of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri ahead of an upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The letter asks the administration to address what lawmakers describe as ongoing violations of religious freedom in China, including the detention of Christian leaders such as Pastor Jin. The issue is considered significant by lawmakers due to concerns about religious persecution affecting Christians, Tibetans, Uyghurs, and other minority groups across China.
In their letter, the legislators wrote: “We encourage you to advocate for their release and request the PRC to allow Mr. Jin to leave China, in addition to raising concerns regarding the ongoing unjust imprisonment and persecution of Christians, Tibetans, and Uyghurs, among other religious and ethnic minority groups across China.” They further stated: “These abuses include arbitrary detentions, lengthy prison sentences, forced closures of places of worship, destruction of religious property, and surveillance and intimidation of clergy and congregants.”
The signatories also called on President Trump’s administration to use authorities under the International Religious Freedom Act. The letter says: “Through the International Religious Freedom Act, the Administration is empowered to use targeted sanctions and increase reporting and diplomatic engagement to support your efforts to address severe violations of individuals’ right to freedom of religion.”
Senator Budd has served North Carolina in both chambers after winning election following three terms representing North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District in the U.S. House according to his official website. He serves on key committees including Armed Services, Intelligence, and Commerce; he ran on a platform emphasizing responsible firearm enjoyment and educational choice; he volunteers as an assistant scoutmaster; promotes homeschooling alongside his wife Amy Kate; serves as a board member for North Carolinians for Home Education; grew up on a family farm in Davie County emphasizing values like faith; raises three children with Amy Kate whom he met during a Christian mission trip; earned degrees from Appalachian State University (BBA), Dallas Theological Seminary (master’s), and Wake Forest University (MBA) according to his official website.
The lawmakers concluded their appeal by asking President Trump not only to seek resolution for Pastor Jin but also “to champion international religious freedom” more broadly when meeting with Chinese officials next month.
