President Trump is standing up for what is right. This time, he’s shining a light on something the world has ignored for too long—the brutal killing of Christians in Nigeria. For years now, Christians in Nigeria, especially in the Middle Belt region, have been under constant attack by Islamic terrorists and militant groups. Villages are burned, families are torn apart, and innocent people are murdered simply because of their faith. Yet many world leaders have looked the other way. Not President Trump.
Last weekend, President Trump made it clear that America will no longer ignore this evil. He warned Nigeria’s government to stop the attacks or face serious consequences. He even said America might take military action to go after the terrorists directly. He wrote, “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” That is the kind of bold leadership we need.
Right on cue, China rushed to defend Nigeria’s government. Their foreign ministry claimed that Trump is only using religion as an “excuse to interfere.” But let’s be honest—China has no business lecturing anyone about human rights. The Chinese Communist Party jails Christians, Muslims, and anyone who speaks out against the government. They don’t believe in religious freedom, and they don’t want anyone else to either. So when they defend Nigeria’s failure to protect Christians, it tells us everything we need to know.
China isn’t doing this out of kindness. They have big money tied up in Nigeria. Through their Belt and Road Initiative, China has invested billions in Nigeria’s roads, railways, and ports. They care more about protecting their investments than protecting human life. Sadly, China’s influence has blinded others too, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). ECOWAS joined China in criticizing Trump, saying his warning to Nigeria was “misguided.” But that is simply not true.
The facts are clear. Christian villages in Nigeria are under attack, and the government has done little to stop it. In some areas, Nigeria even enforces Islamic blasphemy laws that punish people with prison—or worse—just for speaking their beliefs. This is not just violence from lawless gangs. This is a failure of government to protect its own citizens, and in many cases, it seems like they are letting it happen.
That’s why President Trump’s move to place Nigeria back on the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” is so important. This official label, created under the International Religious Freedom Act, allows the U.S. to pressure foreign governments that violate religious freedom. President Trump first gave Nigeria this label back in 2020, but Joe Biden removed it in 2021 when he was in office. Now, Trump has rightly restored it.
Groups that defend religious freedom, like the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), are applauding Trump’s decision. They say it’s long overdue. According to USCIRF, this label gives the U.S. more tools to help stop the violence, rescue hostages, and push for real change in Nigeria.
Some critics claim that Trump is dividing people or interfering in another country’s business. But defending the innocent is not interference—it’s leadership. America has always stood for the right to worship freely, without fear. That principle doesn’t stop at our borders. When Christians are being hunted down and killed just for their faith, we have a duty to speak up and act.
Make no mistake: this is not just a Nigerian problem. It’s a test of whether the world still believes in freedom of religion. President Trump has made his answer clear. He stands with the persecuted, not with the tyrants. And he’s willing to back up his words with action.
That is what true leadership looks like. That is what America should always stand for.
