Two senior members of the United States Congress, Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have harshly criticized former President Donald Trump over his recent threats to cut off U.S. aid and launch military action against Nigeria.
In a joint statement 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 dangerous.”
The lawmakers rejected the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” arguing that the classification oversimplifies Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
“The designation ignores the reality that clashes between farmers and herders are often driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion,” the lawmakers said.
They explained that terrorist groups and bandits in northern Nigeria have targeted both Christians and Muslims, undermining Trump’s claim of a religious genocide.
The U.S. legislators commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for promoting interfaith harmony and making efforts to improve national security, noting that “all Nigerians deserve protection.”
They condemned Trump’s warning to “defend Christians” through possible military intervention, describing it as a reckless reaction based on distorted facts.
“It is incredibly irresponsible for President Trump to threaten military action,” Meeks and Jacobs said. “Providing security assistance is one thing; threatening intervention is something else entirely. Such rhetoric risks dragging the United States into another unnecessary conflict.”
The lawmakers also warned that Trump’s proposal to cut U.S. aid to Nigeria would harm vital humanitarian and development programs.
They pointed out that previous aid cuts under Trump’s administration blocked emergency nutrition projects and livelihood support programs essential to curbing insurgency and stabilizing communities.
“Trump’s aid cuts have disrupted programs that provide life-saving food and development support to Nigerians in crisis,” they added.
Observers say the strong congressional rebuke signals growing bipartisan resistance to Trump’s aggressive foreign policy posture toward African nations.
Analysts also noted that Trump’s latest statements could strain U.S.-Nigeria relations at a time when both countries are working to strengthen defense and trade cooperation.
