Budd, Kaine Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging President Trump to Advocate for Pastor Ezra Jin’s Release Ahead of U.S.-China Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), alongside U.S. Representatives Riley Moore (R-WV-02) and Thomas Suozzi (D-NY-03), led 29 of their colleagues in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Trump advocating for the release of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, lead pastor of Zion Church, ahead of the President's upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Lawmakers also called President Trump's attention to the many other Christian leaders imprisoned in China due to the PRC's violent crackdown on unsanctioned churches. Additionally, the lawmakers urged the Administration to use authorities under the International Religious Freedom Act to impose targeted sanctions and visa restrictions to address severe violations of religious freedom in China.

In the letter, the lawmakers 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."

"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," they continued.

They wrote, "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."

In addition to Budd and Kaine, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jim Justice (R-WV), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) and U.S. Representatives John Rose (R-TN-06), Young Kim (R-CA-40), María Salazar (R-FL-27), Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Barry Moore (R-AL-01), Tim Moore (R-NC-14), and Addison McDowell (R-NC-06).

Read the full letter text here or below:

Dear President Trump,

As you prepare to meet with President Xi Jinping next month, we urge you to seek resolution of the case of Ezra Jin Mingri, a pastor and family member of American citizens, who was arbitrarily detained on October 10, 2025, alongside other leaders of the Zion Church by the People's Republic of China (PRC). 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.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the U.S. Department of State, and religious freedom and human rights organizations have long documented violations of religious freedom targeting Christian communities and other religious groups across China. 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 United States has made important strides in advancing international religious freedom. 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.

Accordingly, we urge you to:

1. Seek resolution of the case of Ezra Jin Mingri and other leaders of the Zion Church, Yayang Church, Light of Zion Church, and Early Rain Covenant Church while advocating for the release of all Christians and other religious groups unjustly imprisoned or detained for their religious beliefs with President Xi next month.
2. Utilize existing authorities, including targeted sanctions and visa restrictions, against individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom.
3. Continue to champion international religious freedom, including in U.S.-China policy.

We appreciate your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

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