Two senior members of the United States Congress, Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have strongly criticized President Donald Trump for threatening to cut off aid and launch military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
In a joint statement on Monday, Meeks, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Jacobs, a ranking member of the Africa Subcommittee, described Trump’s comments as “irresponsible and reckless.”
The lawmakers also rejected the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” saying it oversimplifies the complex nature of 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 commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to promote interfaith harmony and improve security, noting that “all Nigerians deserve protection.”
Meeks and Jacobs further condemned Trump’s threat to “defend Christians” through possible military intervention, calling it 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.
On Trump’s call to cut off U.S. aid to Nigeria, the lawmakers warned that such a move would hurt vital humanitarian and development efforts.
“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.
