The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, has denounced what he described as a “existential threat against Christianity” in Nigeria, where thousands of faithful are murdered each year by radical Islamist groups. In a statement released this Thursday, October 31, through his Truth Social account, Trump announced that he designates Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and urged the US Congress to take immediate action.
“Thousands of Christians are being murdered. Radical Islamists are responsible for this massacre. I am declaring Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’”, he stated.
The leader compared the victim figures —“3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide”— to underscore the magnitude of the persecution in the African country. “When Christians, or any group, are massacred as is happening in Nigeria, something must be done”, he warned.
Trump called on Congressman Riley Moore and the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Tom Cole, to investigate the situation and present a report. “The United States cannot stand idly by while such atrocities occur”, he added, assuring that the country is “ready, prepared, and capable of saving our great Christian population around the world”.
Nigeria, epicenter of religious persecution
Nigeria has been experiencing a wave of violence for years that primarily targets Christian communities in the north and central belt of the country. Attacks carried out by Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed groups known as bandits have caused thousands of deaths and displacements, as well as the destruction of temples and entire villages.
Various organizations, such as Open Doors and the International Society for Human Rights, denounce that Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians. Despite this, the Biden administration removed Nigeria from the list of “countries of particular concern” regarding religious freedom in 2021, a decision harshly criticized by Catholic and evangelical associations.
Trump revives a discourse in defense of persecuted Christians
During his presidency (2017–2021), Donald Trump promoted a foreign policy that prioritized the defense of religious freedom, especially in countries where Christians are a minority and suffer persecution. His new pronouncement seeks to reinstate the issue on the international agenda and pressures the current administration to restore diplomatic protection for Christian communities.
Trump’s message, disseminated with a tone of urgency, comes on the eve of All Saints’ Day and once again puts the spotlight on the silent drama of thousands of contemporary martyrs. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world”, he concluded.
A denunciation that challenges the West
Beyond the political tone, Trump’s words reflect a widely documented reality: religious persecution against Christians is more intense today than ever. The passivity of Western governments in the face of this tragedy contrasts with the firmness they show on other ideological fronts.
While in many countries laws hostile to faith are promoted, thousands of Catholics and Protestants are murdered in silence for confessing the name of Christ. The appeal of the former US president thus resonates as an uncomfortable reminder of the West’s moral debt to its Christian roots.