The Trump administration has appointed James Rockas as Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, placing him at the helm of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amid ongoing concerns over global trade restrictions and technology security.
His appointment comes as the U.S. continues to navigate complex economic and national security challenges, particularly in regulating exports to adversarial nations and safeguarding critical technologies.
Rockas, a veteran of the first Trump administration, previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and later held senior roles in the State Department, including Chief Policy Officer in the Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Energy, and the Environment.
With a background in political campaigns and legislative work in the U.S. House of Representatives, he has been involved in shaping policies on trade and economic security.
A Longtime Advocate for Religious Freedom
Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, praised Rockas’ appointment, emphasizing his commitment to public service and religious advocacy.
“The appointment of Archon James Rockas to this key position illustrates anew how each Archon serves God, His Holy Church, our Holy Mother Church of Constantinople, and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in a huge variety of arenas, bringing the timeless sacred values of the Church into the secular realm,” Limberakis said in a statement.
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are a distinguished group of lay leaders within the Greek Orthodox Church, recognized for their service to the faith and their defense of religious freedom. The order, established by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, advocates for the rights of Orthodox Christians worldwide, particularly those facing challenges in Turkey, where the Patriarchate is based.
Rockas, an Archon since 2021, has been active in these efforts, promoting awareness of religious persecution and supporting policy initiatives aimed at protecting Orthodox communities.
In his most recent role as Director of Strategy and Global Government Affairs at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), Rockas worked on religious liberty issues and helped organize the 4th Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom in Athens, Greece, in May 2024.
The event, which featured former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a keynote speaker, was attended by government officials, religious leaders, and policy experts. Rockas moderated Pompeo’s session, discussing the former secretary’s connection to Orthodox Christianity and the broader challenges facing religious minorities in regions where the Orthodox Church operates.
Rockas’ return to the Commerce Department places him at the center of key debates on export controls, trade enforcement, and supply chain security. The BIS plays a critical role in restricting technology exports to China and Russia, enforcing sanctions, and managing the U.S. approach to emerging threats in global commerce.