Two senior members of the United States Congress, Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have sharply criticized former President Donald Trump over his recent comments threatening to cut off aid and launch military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, Meeks the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Jacobs the Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee described Trump’s remarks as “reckless, irresponsible, and dangerously misleading.”
The lawmakers rejected the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), arguing that it oversimplifies the complex drivers of violence in the country.
“This designation ignores the reality that clashes between farmers and herders are largely driven by resource scarcity and land disputes, not religion,” the statement read. “Terrorist and criminal groups have targeted both Christians and Muslims, particularly in northern Nigeria, where rural communities continue to face attacks from armed bandits.”
The congress members commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his ongoing efforts to promote interfaith harmony and strengthen national security, stressing that “all Nigerians deserve equal protection, regardless of faith or ethnicity.”
They also condemned Trump’s vow to “defend Christians” through potential military intervention, warning that such a move would be “a reckless overreach based on distorted narratives.”
“It is incredibly irresponsible for President Trump to threaten military action. Providing humanitarian or security assistance is one thing; threatening intervention is something else entirely,” they said. “Such rhetoric risks dragging the United States into another needless foreign conflict.”
The lawmakers further cautioned that Trump’s call to cut off U.S. aid to Nigeria would undermine critical humanitarian and development programs, particularly in regions struggling with food insecurity and displacement.
“Trump’s aid cuts have already disrupted essential nutrition programs, agricultural initiatives, and livelihood support projects that help curb the spread of extremism,” the statement concluded.
Meeks and Jacobs urged Washington to maintain a balanced, evidence-based foreign policy toward Nigeria, emphasizing partnership and support rather than threats and sanctions.
Their reaction comes amid growing international debate over the U.S. approach to African nations, with many observers calling for greater diplomatic engagement rather than confrontational rhetoric.
