Congressman Riley M. Moore joined members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the White House to present areport proposingactions to end the persecution ofChristians in Nigeriaand address rising extremist violence.
The meeting followedPresident Trump’sOctober 31, 2025,redesignation of Nigeriaas a Country of Particular Concern. Christian activists had urged the Biden administration for years to restore the designation, a classification for nations where religious freedom is threatened and which can trigger sanctions.
President Trump originally placed Nigeria on the list during his first term, but the Biden administration removed it in 2021. That year’s State Department religious freedom report noted mass killings of both Christians and Muslims and did not identify Christians as a singular target. Trump’s return to office created anew opportunityfor activists seeking redesignation.
At the press conference announcing the move, President Trump said, “Christianity is facingan existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. That is a legal definition.” Referring to global figures, he added, “Whether Christians or any such group are slaughtered like in Nigeria, 3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide. What horrible numbers!”
At the same event, he asked Congressman Riley Moore and Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to lead an investigation into persecution against Christian communities, “and report back to me,” he said, taking ownership of the investigation and the policies that would follow. Unlike previous presidents, Trump demanded the work be done expeditiously, saying, “And I mean like immediately.” He added that the United States cannot stand by while such atrocities occur in Nigeria and elsewhere.
He said persecution was increasing “all over” and confirmed, “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world. This is not going to happen. The killing of Christians is not going to happen.”
In a statement, Moore thanked President Trump for the redesignation, saying the investigation provided a clear picture of the threat environment and the persecution Christians face.
Moore and Cole’s investigation resulted in areport issuedby the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The findings state that Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian, citing attacks by Fulani militias and terrorist groups that have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the destruction of churches and schools, kidnappings, and the targeting of Christians through blasphemy laws.
The report outlines congressional efforts to end persecution and address regional instability through accountability measures, counterterrorism initiatives, and coordination with the Nigerian government to improve security. It argues that President Trump’s action and increased congressional attention create an opportunity for change but stresses that Nigeria must demonstrate political will, commit its own resources, strengthen its relationship with the United States, and take concrete steps to eliminate violence against Christians.
The document recommends establishing a bilateral U.S.–Nigeria security agreement to protect vulnerable Christian communities, dismantle jihadist networks, and counter adversaries, including the CCP and the Russian Federation. It calls for withholding certain U.S. funds until Nigeria takes demonstrable action, imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on those responsible for religious persecution, repealing Sharia and blasphemy laws, and coordinating with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
