At least thirty-one members of the United States Congress have publicly backed President Donald Trump’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged large-scale religious killings, describing it as a decisive step toward addressing what they termed the “growing Christian genocide” in Africa’s most populous nation.
In a joint statement issued by the House Values Action Team Chairman, Rep. Robert Aderholt, the lawmakers applauded Trump’s action, calling it “a bold and compassionate stand for religious freedom.”
According to the statement, the CPC designation “gives hope to the people of Nigeria” and signals the United States’ renewed resolve to confront religious persecution globally.
“President Trump’s commitment to end the Christian genocide in Nigeria gives hope to millions of believers. This persecution must end,” said Aderholt, alleging that terrorist groups in Nigeria have killed “thousands of believers annually.”
The lawmakers urged the Trump administration to go beyond the designation by imposing stronger sanctions and diplomatic pressure on the Nigerian government to ensure accountability.
Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, described the move as “a powerful step in holding the Nigerian government accountable for complicity in the unchecked murder, rape, and torture of Christians.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer also commended Trump, stating, “God bless President Trump for standing up and protecting Christians around the world. The United States finally has a leader unafraid to do what’s right.”
Other prominent lawmakers, including Lisa McClain, Josh Brecheen, Mary Miller, Mark Alford, Don Bacon, Andy Biggs, Gus Bilirakis, and Tim Walberg, echoed similar positions — urging Washington to deploy every “diplomatic and strategic tool” necessary to stop the killings and ensure justice for victims.
Earlier, SaharaReporters obtained a statement by President Trump reiterating that the United States “cannot stand by while Christians are being killed in Nigeria.” The former president warned that if the violence continues, Washington could cut foreign aid or consider military intervention to protect religious minorities.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said via his Truth Social platform. “Nigeria is hereby designated a Country of Particular Concern — and that is only the beginning.”
He further directed congressional appropriations leaders to immediately investigate the situation, emphasizing the urgency of the crisis.
The Nigerian government, however, has rejected what it described as a “mischaracterization,” maintaining that the country’s constitution guarantees religious freedom for all and that its security challenges cut across ethnic and religious lines.
