Trump Orders U.S. Lawmakers to Probe Alleged Christian Persecution in Nigeria
President Donald Trump has directed key U.S. lawmakers and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, with a joint congressional briefing scheduled for Tuesday.
Rep. Riley Moore confirmed the directive in a post on his X account, stating, “President Trump asked me and @HouseAppropsGOP to investigate the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. As part of this investigation, the committee is hosting a roundtable to continue building on the work we’ve done so far. We will never turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their faith.”
The House Appropriations Committee also announced the president’s instruction, noting that several senior lawmakers would lead the inquiry.
The committee said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Chair of the National Security & Department of State Subcommittee, and Rep. Robert Aderholt, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, alongside Rep. Riley Moore, would lead the roundtable.
“@POTUS directed Appropriators to examine the deadly persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” the committee tweeted. “Tomorrow, @MarioDB @Robert_Aderholt @RileyMooreWV will lead a joint roundtable with @HouseForeignGOP @FinancialCmte, and expert witnesses to discuss protecting faith communities worldwide.”
A statement by Rep. Moore, titled ‘Appropriations Committee to Lead Joint Briefing on Persecution of Nigerian Christians and Threats to Religious Freedom’, said the briefing would include members of the Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, and other experts.
It aims to spotlight escalating violence and targeted attacks on Christians in Nigeria and to inform a comprehensive report for President Trump.
In October 2025, Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing alleged genocide against Christians.
He posted on Truth Social, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it.”
Trump added that Rep. Riley Moore, Rep. Tom Cole, and other House Appropriations Committee members had been tasked with investigating the situation and reporting their findings to him.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the world!” he said.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had earlier raised concerns over persistent violence against Christians, particularly in Northern Nigeria, noting severe attacks, loss of life, and destruction of churches. CAN described the scale of killings and displacement as alarming and urged urgent government action.
The Nigerian government, however, has repeatedly denied that Christians are being specifically targeted, maintaining that insecurity affects all communities.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
