Trump Announces Appointment of Miami Businessman Yehuda Kaploun as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a significant set of announcements on Thursday, President Donald Trump unveiled several new nominations and appointments to key diplomatic and administrative positions, underscoring a renewed focus on combating antisemitism, promoting religious freedom, and reforming the U.S. criminal justice system. Among the most high-profile appointments is Yehuda Kaploun, a well-known Miami businessman and longtime Trump ally, who has been tapped to serve as the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, with the rank of ambassador-at-large.

As reported by Fox News, the appointment comes at a time of heightened global concern over rising antisemitic incidents, especially in Western democracies and on American college campuses.

Trump emphasized the urgency of the role in a post on his Truth Social platform, writing: “Yehuda is a successful businessman, and staunch advocate for the Jewish Faith and the Rights of his people to live and worship free from persecution. With Anti-Semitism dangerously on the rise, Yehuda will be the strongest Representative for Americans and Jews across the Globe, and promote PEACE. Congratulations Yehuda!”

Kaploun brings to the position decades of experience in business and communal leadership, particularly within Jewish advocacy circles. His close personal and professional relationship with Trump stretches back several years, and he is widely seen as a trusted confidant. As the Fox News report noted, Kaploun’s new role will task him with engaging governments, institutions, and civil society groups across the globe to identify, expose, and combat antisemitism, both in its violent and ideological forms.

The position of special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism has historically been bipartisan in scope, with previous holders serving under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Fox News reported that Trump’s selection of Kaploun signals a continuation of efforts to institutionalize the fight against antisemitism as a pillar of U.S. foreign and domestic policy.

In another major nomination, Trump tapped former Congressman Mark Walker (R-N.C.) to serve as the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Walker, a former Baptist pastor and three-term House member, is a well-known figure in conservative religious circles.

Trump praised Walker’s deep commitment to global human rights in his announcement, saying: “He will work incredibly hard to expose Human Rights Violations, champion Faith, and help us secure Life Saving Results,” as per The Fox News report.

Walker responded to the nomination with a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Religious expression is the foundation of human rights and, whether it’s a college campus in New York or Sub-Saharan Africa, I’ll be relentless in fighting for those targeted who dare to live out their faith.”

Fox News reported that he added thanks to his family for their support, concluding with a prayerful message: “May God provide the path and may we have the courage to follow.”

The Office of the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom is a key component of U.S. diplomacy, tasked with defending individuals and communities persecuted for their faith worldwide — from religious minorities in authoritarian states to victims of blasphemy laws and government discrimination.

Trump also announced his choice for director of the Bureau of Prisons: William “Billy” Marshall III, the current commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as was indicated in The Fox News report. Known for his law-and-order stance and firsthand experience within state correctional systems, Marshall is being positioned to bring reform to a federal prison system that has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years over conditions, staffing shortages, and inmate safety.

“Billy is a Strong Advocate for LAW AND ORDER,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He understands the struggles of our prisons better than anyone, and will help fix our broken Criminal Justice System. Congratulations Billy, you will inspire us all.”

According to the information in The Fox News report, Marshall has developed a reputation for tough but pragmatic leadership, emphasizing both institutional discipline and the need for rehabilitative programming. His appointment comes at a time when the federal Bureau of Prisons is grappling with challenges ranging from high-profile inmate deaths to systemic corruption within some facilities.

As The Fox News report observed, Trump’s latest appointments reflect not only his long-standing political alliances but also his commitment to reframing cultural and civil rights debates through a conservative lens. The selection of high-profile religious and criminal justice figures aligns with Trump’s broader 2024 campaign themes of religious liberty, public safety, and fighting extremism — both foreign and domestic.

The nomination of Kaploun, in particular, sends a signal to Jewish communities in the U.S. and abroad that antisemitism remains a top priority for the former president. Meanwhile, Walker’s role is expected to elevate U.S. efforts to champion religious minorities across the globe at a time when such communities face increasing peril — from Christians in Africa and the Middle East to Uyghur Muslims in China and persecuted Hindus in parts of South Asia.

With these nominations, Trump appears to be building out a prospective team that prioritizes faith, freedom, and institutional strength, while reinforcing his commitment to traditional conservative values and human rights advocacy.