US Congresswoman Condemns Trump’s Military Threat Against Nigeria

United States Congresswoman Sara Jacobs has publicly condemned the military threat issued by President Donald Trump against Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution, labeling the rhetoric as “reckless.” Her statement was delivered today, Thursday, during a US Congress hearing focused on Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations.

Congresswoman Jacobs, who is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, argued that framing Nigeria’s pervasive violence solely as a religious conflict fails to capture the full, complex picture of the nation’s security crisis.

She issued a sharp rebuke to the notion of unilateral American military intervention, stating: “President Trump’s threat is reckless, and any unilateral military action in Nigeria is illegal. Congress has not authorized force in Nigeria to protect Christians.” Her statement serves as a clear warning about the constitutional limits on executive power regarding foreign military action without congressional approval, directly challenging the feasibility and legality of Trump’s warning.

The Congresswoman’s comments were in direct response to reports that President Donald Trump had warned he had instructed the Defence Department to prepare for “possible military action in Nigeria” if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.” This threat was issued following his decision to designate Nigeria as a CPC in response to lobbying efforts alleging widespread persecution and genocide against the nation’s Christian population.

Jacobs stressed that the violence plaguing Nigeria indiscriminately affects citizens of all faiths, including both Christians and Muslims. She concluded by urging the Nigerian government to significantly enhance its efforts to protect all of its citizens equally from the escalating banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes that are currently driving the insecurity.