United States lawmakers have sharply criticized President Donald Trump for his recent threats to cut off all U.S. assistance to Nigeria and to contemplate military action in the West African nation.
Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, a prominent member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs, who leads the subcommittee focusing on Africa, expressed their concerns in a powerful joint statement. They argued that Trump’s approach oversimplifies the deeply complex issue of violence in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa.
“The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern completely overlooks the multifaceted nature of the conflict there. The clashes between predominantly Christian farmers and herders are largely driven by resource scarcity and land disputes—religion is just one piece of a much larger puzzle,” they stated.
These remarks followed Trump’s alarming threats of military action in response to the alleged “killing of Christians” in the region. However, the lawmakers pointed out that Nigeria’s ongoing violence affects both Christians and Muslims, devastating communities across the board. They highlighted that much of the recent turmoil has erupted in the predominantly Muslim northern regions, where bandit gangs have become increasingly bold.
“It’s incredibly irresponsible for President Trump to consider military intervention. While providing security support can be necessary, threatening military action to ‘defend Christians’ is not only reckless but also risks drawing the United States into another conflict based on distorted facts,” they said.
They further noted how Trump’s proposed cuts to aid have hindered vital emergency nutrition and livelihood programs—essential initiatives needed to combat the spread of insurgency and support vulnerable populations in Nigeria.