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Two senior U.S. lawmakers, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have condemned former President Donald Trump’s threat to launch a military strike in Nigeria over alleged “Christian genocide.”
In a joint statement, Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Jacobs Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee described Trump’s remarks as “irresponsible and reckless.”
The lawmakers also criticized the Trump-era decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” arguing that it oversimplifies the complex drivers of violence in the country.
“The designation ignores the reality that clashes between farmers and herders are often fueled by resource shortages and land competition not religion. Terrorist groups have targeted both Christians and Muslims, especially in northern Nigeria where communities continue to suffer deadly attacks by criminal gangs known as bandits,” the statement noted.
Meeks and Jacobs praised President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to promote interfaith peace and strengthen national security, stressing that “all Nigerians deserve to live in safety and dignity.”
They also condemned Trump’s vow to “defend Christians” through possible military intervention, calling it a dangerous and misguided response based on misinformation.
“It is incredibly irresponsible for former President Trump to threaten military action. Security cooperation is one thing; threatening military intervention is something else entirely. Such rhetoric risks dragging the United States into another needless conflict,” they said.
The lawmakers further warned that Trump’s call to cut off U.S. aid to Nigeria would undermine essential humanitarian and development programs that support millions of vulnerable people.
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