Overview
- President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to prepare for possible action in Nigeria and warned he could halt U.S. assistance if attacks on Christians persist.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly signaled readiness, saying the department was preparing in response to the president’s instruction.
- Nigeria’s government rejected the portrayal of religious intolerance and said cooperation is welcome only with respect for its sovereignty, stressing the U.S. cannot act unilaterally.
- Trump announced Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations, a step that enables potential penalties though no strikes or new binding sanctions have been executed.
- Analysts dispute claims of a ‘Christian genocide,’ noting violence by Boko Haram and ISWAP has killed both Muslims and Christians, as U.S. figures cited by Trump and advocacy groups face scrutiny and lawmakers such as Sen. Ted Cruz push punitive measures.