House Values Action Team Commends President Trump’s Leadership and Calls for End of Christian Persecution in Nigeria

“Nigeria has become the most dangerous place in the world for Christians,” said House Values Action Team Chairman Robert Aderholt. “President Trump’s commitment to end the Christian genocide in Nigeria and his designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern gives hope to the people of Nigeria. This persecution of Christians must end.”

“Terrorist groups in Nigeria are responsible for killing thousands of believers every year, and President Trump has made it clear that America will lead in confronting this violence and defend people of faith across the globe,” Congressman Aderholt added. “Across the world, religious persecution is spreading unchecked. Freedom of religion is one of our most cherished rights in the United States—expressly protected by the Constitution--yet it remains under attack worldwide. The United States will not remain silent, will not be complacent, and will not turn away while Christians face violence and discrimination for their faith.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06) said: "God bless President Trump for standing up and protecting Christians around the globe. The United States finally has a leader who is unafraid to do what’s right."

House VAT Co-Chair, Congressman Josh Brecheen (OK-02) said: “I am truly grateful to President Trump for bringing awareness to this genocide in Nigeria and urge everyone to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters there. No country should allow this to continue and the international community should use economic leverage to demand a course correction!”

House VAT Co-Chair, Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) said: "The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is an unspeakable evil that demands our full attention and immediate action. I stand strongly with President Trump and my colleagues in Congress who are working to hold the Nigerian government accountable and demand protection for Christian communities under attack. America must never turn a blind eye to this genocide—we must always defend faith and freedom."

House VAT Executive Committee Member, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) said: "The ongoing brutal attacks against Christians in Nigeria should shake every American to the core. I strongly support President Trump's action and will work with my House Republican colleagues to stay actively engaged and ensure targeted Christian communities receive real protection." 

House VAT Executive Committee Member, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) said: “All persons have the right to practice their religion free of persecution. It is paramount that the government of Nigeria upholds this right and protects its Christian citizens who are being unjustly targeted for their beliefs.”

House VAT Executive Committee Member, Congressman John Moolenaar (MI-04) said: "President Trump is right to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in response to the disturbing violence against Christians at the hands of terrorists. America must continue speaking out against these atrocities and work with Nigeria to protect innocent lives and uphold religious freedom. It is crucial we use every diplomatic and strategic tool available to ensure the safety of these innocent Chistian congregations and encourage action from the Nigerian government to protect them from violence."

House VAT Executive Committee Member, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) said: "Nigeria's genocide of Christians is unacceptable, and the United Nations has failed by not addressing these egregious acts. I thank President Trump for his leadership in calling out the atrocity and vowing to take action."

House VAT Executive Committee Member, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) said: “All persons have the right to practice their religion free of persecution. It is paramount that the government of Nigeria upholds this right and protects its Christian citizens who are being unjustly targeted for their beliefs.”

House VAT Executive Committee Member, Congresswoman Sheri Biggs(SC-03) said: “I fully support President Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, and I’m praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are being targeted simply for their faith. It’s a sobering reminder of how blessed we are to live in the greatest country in the world. ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ – Matthew 5:10 (KJV)”

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who first introduced legislation calling for Nigeria to be designated a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ in January of 2023 said: “President Trump’s decisive action is a powerful step forward in holding the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in the unchecked murder, rape, and torture of Christians. President Trump was right to designate Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ in December 2020, only for it to be reversed without justification by the Biden State Department less than a year later. The President’s announcement validates the cries and concerns of the many church leaders and practicing Christians in Nigeria, and it reflects the United States’ unfaltering intolerance for foreign governments who do not protect their citizens from religious persecution.”

Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) said: "God bless President Trump, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, and Senator Ted Cruz for their principled leadership in addressing escalating religious persecution in Nigeria. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on International Religious Freedom, I urge maximum accountability for the Nigerian government’s failure to stop extremist militias and terrorist violence against innocent Christians and Muslims in the northern region. Designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern ensures US foreign policy reflects the American people’s faith in religious liberty."

Congressman John Carter (TX-31) said: “Religious freedom is a sacred right, and the persecution of Christians in Nigeria is horrific. I stand with the President in designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, and Congress should be united in this effort. We must stay focused on protecting and supporting Christian communities worldwide and fight back against this genocide.”

Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) said: “The persecution of Christians anywhere is a threat to religious freedom everywhere. I fully support the President’s decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and will continue working with my colleagues to ensure these targeted Christian communities receive the attention and aid they need. America must always stand up for the right to worship freely and without fear.” 

Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06) said: “I am shocked by the horrific attack on Christians in Nigeria. This violence has been severely underrecognized, and far more attention must be brought to these atrocities, so the Christians of Nigeria are better protected. I appreciate President Trump for helping draw much-needed attention to this matter.”

Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03) said: I am thankful to see President Trump designate Nigeria a country of particular concern due to its violations of religious liberty. The Biden Administration removed Nigeria from the list of countries of particular concern, even though there were reports of thousands of Nigerian Christians killed for their faith. As a nation committed to the principles of religious liberty, the United States must fight against this persecution.”

Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01) said: “The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is unacceptable. No one should face violence or discrimination for their faith. I am grateful to President Trump for bringing this crisis to the forefront of international attention and for standing up for religious freedom worldwide.”

Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) said: “The world cannot look away while Christians are targeted and killed in Nigeria. I commend President Trump’s attention to this issue and stand with my colleagues in calling for lasting protection of religious freedom.”

Congressman Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) said: “The persecution and killing of Christians in Nigeria is appalling and evil. I am pleased President Trump is taking action in their defense, and it is my hope that our brothers and sisters in Christ in Nigeria and around the world can worship freely and without fearing for their lives or safety.”

Congressman Mark Messmer (IN-08) said: “I applaud President Trump for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern to take an important step in confronting the ongoing massacre of Christians and innocent Nigerian citizens. For far too long, thugs and extremist militants have slaughtered the most vulnerable while the world ignored the devastation. Evil thrives in the darkness, so I am grateful to President Trump for shining light on this genocide. May God have mercy on these persecuted communities and may He protect them from further annihilation.”  

Congressman Barry Moore (AL-01) said: “Around the globe, more than 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith in Christ. We see this on the largest scale in Nigeria where Christians are being targeted, churches are being burned, and families are living in fear simply because of their faith. America cannot stay silent in the face of that kind of evil. I strongly support the President’s decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, it’s the right call and a clear message that the United States will stand with the persecuted and hold accountable those who wage violence against people of faith.”

Congressman Riley Moore (WV-02) said: “More than 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria just this year - that's 35 Christian’s martyred for their faith every day. I am thankful President Trump made the decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, and that the President asked me to lead the investigation into this horrific persecution in Congress. I have been advocating for our nation to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ since my first day in office. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the bloodshed of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This horrible persecution will end thanks to President Trump.”

Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) said: “Christians in Nigeria are being murdered for their faith by Islamic extremists, in addition to the destruction of churches and farmland. I applaud President Trump’s commitment to defending the innocent from persecution and violence. We cannot allow this terror to continue spreading throughout the country and across nearby countries in Africa. Peace through strength is the only way to deal with terrorists and these heinous acts must be met with grave consequences.”

Congressman Bob Onder (MO-03) said: “For years, Christians in Nigeria have faced unspeakable violence; churches burned, villages raided, women and children kidnapped, enslaved and murdered. This is a human tragedy, and I have been outspoken in my support of President Trump’s efforts to end this genocide. I proudly co-sponsored House Resolution 220, which condemns these atrocities and calls for Nigeria, and other nations complicit in any sort of religious persecution to be officially designated as “Countries of Particular Concern.”

Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) said: “We must stand against the unjust persecution of Christians in Nigeria who are being brutally murdered simply for their faith. As a Christian myself, this is personal and I will not stay silent while men, women, and children are targeted for what they believe. This senseless violence must end peacefully.”

Congressman Keith Self (TX-03) said: "More Christians are killed in Nigeria than in all other countries combined, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria has done too little to prevent the routine massacres. I applaud President Trump for reversing President Biden’s arbitrary and inexplicable decision to lift Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern.”

Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) said: “As a Christian and former pastor, I am deeply concerned about attacks on religious freedom around the world, including the horrific persecution of Christians in Nigeria. I applaud President Trump for taking decisive action to defend religious freedom by designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. By doing so, the President has sent a clear message to countries around the globe: America will not turn a blind eye to this violent extremism.”

Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) said: “The attack on religious freedom we have seen unfolding in Nigeria resonates on a deeply personal level, not only because of my own faith, but because as freedom loving Americans we stand boldly for rights granted to us by God and our Constitution. I wholeheartedly condemn Boko Haram and any other group that commits religious persecution, particularly the brutal violence, kidnappings, and destruction of communities that are carried out in the name of twisted ideology. I appreciate the actions being taken by President Trump to address the egregious violence and advocate for religious freedom in Nigeria, and I will continue to support these and any actions by Congress to do the same.”

Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) said: "It is the responsibility of the United States to protect religious freedom worldwide. Christians are being relentlessly tortured and murdered in Nigeria and designating it a Country of Particular Concern is a much-needed first step. We must use the targeted tools we have at our disposal to combat religious violence in all its forms.

Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) said: “The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is a moral outrage. No government should turn a blind eye to innocent men, women, and children being slaughtered for their faith, and the world cannot look away while believers are hunted. This evil demands truth, not silence—and it must be condemned in Nigeria and across the world.”

Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) said: "I condemn the escalating and systematic violence against Christians in Nigeria.  Thousands of Christian believers have been slaughtered in their villages, churches, and homes by armed Christian-hating extremists.  These are not random killings, but deliberate acts of religious cleansing in which perpetrators act with impunity. The world watched the genocide in Rwanda and failed to intervene - Nigeria is the new frontline.  This must stop.”