Two senior members of the United States Congress, Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump over his recent comments threatening to cut off aid and consider military action against Nigeria, describing his statements as “irresponsible and reckless.”
In a joint statement issued on Monday, Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Jacobs, who serves as the ranking member of the Africa Subcommittee, faulted Trump’s rhetoric and his administration’s past decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
The lawmakers argued that Trump’s characterization of the Nigerian crisis was inaccurate and dangerously simplistic, noting that violence in parts of the country is often driven by competition over land and resources rather than religion.
“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 commended Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts to promote interfaith harmony and improve national security, emphasizing that “all Nigerians deserve protection regardless of faith.”
Both lawmakers expressed deep concern over Trump’s vow to “defend Christians” through possible U.S. 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,” they warned.
On Trump’s call to cut off U.S. aid to Nigeria, Meeks and Jacobs cautioned that such a decision would undermine vital humanitarian and development programs that help prevent instability in vulnerable communities.
“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.
The congressional leaders urged continued partnership between Washington and Abuja on shared goals of peace, development, and interfaith tolerance rather than inflammatory policies that could strain bilateral relations.
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