Two senior members of the United States Congress, Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have sharply criticised former President Donald Trump over his recent threat to cut off aid and launch military action against Nigeria.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, Meeks, the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Jacobs, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, described Trump’s remarks as “irresponsible and reckless.”

The lawmakers also rejected the Trump administration’s renewed designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), saying it misrepresented the complex nature of violence and insecurity in the country.

“The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern ignores the complex reality of violence there,” the statement read.

“Clashes between farmers, many but not all of whom are Christian, and herders are driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion alone.”

Meeks and Jacobs noted that terrorist and criminal groups had targeted both Christians and Muslims across Nigeria, especially in the predominantly Muslim northern region, which continues to suffer violent attacks by armed gangs known locally as bandits.

“All Nigerians deserve protection, and we know President [Bola] Tinubu recognises the importance of interfaith harmony and is working to address this challenge,” they added.

The lawmakers condemned Trump’s remarks threatening to “defend Christians” through possible military intervention, describing such comments as a reckless overreach based on distorted facts.

“It is incredibly irresponsible of President Trump to threaten military action,” they said. “Providing security support is one thing; threatening military intervention is another matter entirely. Such rhetoric risks embroiling the United States in another needless war.”

On the issue of foreign aid, Meeks and Jacobs warned that cutting off assistance to Nigeria would have devastating humanitarian consequences.

They argued that U.S. aid supports vital programmes in health, education, and development, and that any suspension would undermine ongoing efforts to stabilise and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic and economic institutions.