Two senior members of the United States Congress, Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have lambasted President Donald Trump for threatening to withdraw aid and launch military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
In a joint statement, Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Jacobs, who serves as the ranking member of the Africa Subcommittee, described Trump’s comments as “irresponsible and reckless.”
The lawmakers faulted the Trump administration’s decision to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” stressing that the move fails to reflect the complexities surrounding violence in the country.
“The designation ignores the reality that clashes between farmers and herders are often driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion,” the statement read.
“Terrorist groups have targeted both Christians and Muslims, especially in northern Nigeria, where communities continue to face attacks by criminal gangs known as bandits.”
They also praised President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to foster interfaith unity and strengthen national security, noting that “all Nigerians deserve protection.”
Meeks and Jacobs faulted Trump’s vow to “defend Christians” through a possible military intervention, describing it as a “reckless response to distorted facts.”
“It is incredibly irresponsible for President Trump to threaten military action. Providing security assistance is one thing; threatening intervention is something else entirely. Such rhetoric risks dragging the United States into another unnecessary conflict,” the lawmakers said.
They further cautioned that any move to suspend U.S. aid to Nigeria would endanger vital humanitarian and development initiatives.
“Trump’s aid cuts have blocked essential programs that provide emergency nutrition and livelihood support initiatives that are key to preventing the spread of insurgency,” they added.