U.S. President Donald Trump has directed key 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 development in a post on X (formerly Twitter), 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 that several senior lawmakers will lead the inquiry. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Chair of the National Security & Department of State Subcommittee and member of the Defense Subcommittee, alongside Robert Aderholt, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Rep. Riley Moore, will convene a roundtable with expert witnesses to discuss protecting faith communities worldwide.
In a statement titled, “Appropriations Committee to Lead Joint Briefing on Persecution of Nigerian Christians and Threats to Religious Freedom,” the committee confirmed that the briefing will include members of the Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees and representatives from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The goal is to spotlight the escalating violence and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria and to inform a comprehensive report directed by President Trump.
In October 2025, President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing alleged genocide against Christians. He described the situation as an “existential threat,” noting that thousands of Christians have been killed and attributing the violence to radical Islamist groups. Trump said he had instructed Rep. Riley Moore, Rep. Tom Cole, and other committee members to investigate and report 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,” Trump said.
The redesignation followed warnings from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which expressed deep concern over persistent violence and insecurity affecting Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria, citing attacks, loss of life, and destruction of places of worship. CAN’s concerns were echoed by U.S. Senators who noted that Christians were being targeted in killings across Nigeria.
The Nigerian government, however, has repeatedly denied these claims, insisting that insecurity in the country is not directed at any particular religious group.
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