Donald Trump seems eager to present himself as a global peacemaker—the man who can stop wars and do what Joe Biden couldn’t. But his latest statement doesn’t sound peaceful at all. He’s threatening to invade Nigeria with the full force of the U.S. military, saying America could go in “guns-a-blazing.”
Trump’s anger comes from reports of Christian persecution in Nigeria by Islamic militants. In response, he told Pete Hegseth’s newly named “Department of War” to start preparing for possible military action. Trump said that if Nigeria continues to allow violence against Christians, the U.S. will cut off aid and might launch a swift and brutal attack to “wipe out” the militants.
He warned the Nigerian government to act quickly, claiming that America’s response would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Nigeria’s government quickly rejected Trump’s comments. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that religious freedom is a key part of Nigeria’s identity and that the government does not support or allow religious persecution. He emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution protects people of all faiths.
A spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also made it clear that America isn’t needed in this situation. They said Nigeria will continue to defend all its citizens and celebrate its religious diversity, calling that diversity the country’s greatest strength.
If Trump were serious about military action, experts say the U.S. would probably rely on airstrikes and drone attacks on militant camps, rather than sending troops. A full-scale invasion would be extremely difficult. Nigeria is vast, with tough terrain, and local fighters would have a major advantage. A ground war could easily turn into another Vietnam-style disaster.
The U.S. already has some military cooperation with Nigeria to fight terrorism, including drone surveillance and training support. America also sold aircraft to Nigeria in 2017 for counterterrorism use. That makes it seem likely that Trump’s threat is more about political showmanship than an actual plan to go to war.
Still, with Trump, it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s theater. Whether this is a genuine warning or another loud attempt to rally support from his evangelical followers, it’s clear that his version of “peacekeeping” looks a lot more like saber-rattling.
