Trump: Religious Persecution “Must Not Be Tolerated”
The United States has renewed its strong stance against religious persecution in Nigeria, with Vice President JD Vance warning that Christian suppression remains a major concern for the Trump administration.
Speaking at the 2025 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Friday, Vance highlighted the dangers faced by Nigerian priests and their congregations, vowing that the U.S. would not stay silent.
“We know that some of the biggest persecuted groups in the world today are Christians,” Vance said. “And the Trump administration promises that whether at home or abroad, we will be the strongest defenders of religious liberty.”
Vance’s remarks echo President Donald Trump’s history of condemning Nigeria’s handling of religious freedom. In 2020, Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities, even threatening sanctions over the issue.
“The Nigerian government must take action to protect its citizens,” Trump warned at the time, emphasizing that religious persecution “must not be tolerated.”
He also at a time accused the Democrats of waging a “war on Christianity” and suggested religious groups were under siege.
Vance framed the administration’s policies as crucial to ensuring religious rights are upheld worldwide. He pointed to Nigeria as a key example of a government failing to safeguard its vulnerable Christian population.
“We cannot ignore how foreign policy affects people’s ability to practice their faith,” Vance stressed. “Our commitment to religious freedom is unwavering.”
