Overview
- The Washington Post reported that the president’s post followed a meeting with advisers and faith leaders and came after he watched a Fox News segment aboard Air Force One.
- AFRICOM officials were caught off guard and told the Pentagon they had other priorities, cautioning that limited U.S. presence and intelligence would undercut any strikes.
- In his Truth Social message, the president threatened to cut aid to Nigeria, called the country “disgraced,” and said he had instructed the “Department of War” to prepare options.
- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and senior aides rejected the characterization as a misreading of the conflict and underscored the need to respect national sovereignty.
- Some Nigerian Christian leaders voiced support for U.S. intervention, while analysts noted the violence is multifaceted and has claimed many Muslim victims as well.