The terrorist group has been killing and abducting Christians, including Catholic schoolchildren.
By Catholics for Catholics
U.S. forces launched strikes against militants linked to the Islamic State group (IS) in north-western Nigeria, raising praise from Republican lawmakers for President Donald Trump for defending Christians in that country.
According to Fox News, various GOP members applaud the Christmas Day military action as a powerful response to terrorist violence and religious persecution, including the killing of Christians, after the U.S. Africa Command confirmed the strikes were executed at the appeal of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto state: the attack killed several ISIS terrorists.
One of the lawmakers who praised the attack against ISIS was Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., who termed the action “decisive” and indicated the action as shifting attitudes within Nigeria’s government after a congressional delegation he led visited the country last weekend.
“The Congressional Delegation I led to Nigeria this past weekend provided insight that some attitudes inside the Nigerian Government are beginning to turn in favor of protecting Christians — in addition to taking actions against those terrorizing Christians and moderate Muslims,” Huizenga wrote on X.
Trump wrote about the strikes on Truth Social, pointing to a prior warning in November when he said Nigeria had been labeled a “country of particular concern” over religious violence, including the killings of Christians and attacks on Catholic schools.
Trump said that if the killings continued, “there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”
AFRICOM, which is based in Germany and is in charge of U.S. military operations in the African continent, said the action showed “the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad.”
On the other hand, Nigeria emphasized the operation was part of a broader counterterrorism effort and not an attack tied to religion. Officials from the country said their priority is protecting civilian life and national unity.
Emphasizing religious freedom, Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., wrote that ISIS is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Christians and religious minorities in Nigeria and that Trump’s “decisive strikes will save lives & protect religious freedom.”
Also praising Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., thanked U.S. troops for targeting “bloodthirsty ISIS savages” who persecute Christians and “have killed many Americans.”
In addition, other GOP members said the strikes were viewed as a starting move rather than a one-time message.
Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., said Trump has been adamant that the slaughter of Christians “must end,” warning, “Do not test President Trump’s resolve in this matter.”
Save and Share This Catholic Patriotic Minute!
