Christian Massacres Trigger Rare Congressional Revolt

Rep. Marlin Stutzman is leading a congressional push to force the U.S. government to impose binding sanctions on Nigeria for its systematic persecution of Christians, marking a decisive shift from America’s previous hands-off approach to one of the world’s deadliest anti-Christian campaigns.

Story Highlights

Stutzman introduces Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act mandating Country of Particular Concern designation
Legislation targets Nigerian officials enforcing Sharia law violations with sanctions and visa bans
House Resolution 866 signals congressional support for President Trump’s potential Nigeria actions
Christmas messaging contrasts American peace with Nigerian Christians facing violence and displacement

Congressional Action Targets Religious Persecution Crisis

Representative Marlin Stutzman has introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, a House companion to Senator Ted Cruz’s Senate bill S.2747. The legislation mandates that the U.S. government designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for severe religious freedom violations. This designation would trigger automatic sanctions against Nigerian officials and entities complicit in Christian persecution, removing executive discretion that has allowed previous administrations to avoid confronting Nigeria’s abysmal human rights record.

Stutzman’s legislation specifically targets officials enforcing Sharia law in ways that violate international religious freedom norms. The bill empowers the U.S. to impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals responsible for persecution. This represents a fundamental departure from the diplomatic soft-pedaling that has characterized America’s relationship with Nigeria despite overwhelming evidence of systematic anti-Christian violence.

Islamist Terror Groups Wage War on Nigerian Christians

Nigeria faces relentless attacks from Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province, both designated terrorist organizations that specifically target Christian communities, churches, and clergy. These jihadist groups have killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced millions more over the past decade. The violence extends beyond terrorism to include armed Fulani militant groups conducting village raids against predominantly Christian farming communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.

Christmas has become a particularly dangerous time for Nigerian Christians, with extremist groups repeatedly launching coordinated attacks on churches during the holiday season. While American families celebrate Christmas in safety and peace, Nigerian believers face the constant threat of massacre, kidnapping, and displacement. This stark contrast underscores the moral urgency behind Stutzman’s “No Silent Night” messaging, which demands American action rather than continued silence.

Trump Administration Support Signals Policy Shift

House Resolution 866 explicitly states that Congress “stands ready to support President Donald J. Trump” in taking appropriate action to address Nigeria’s persecution of Christians. This resolution condemns the ongoing violence and signals strong congressional backing for robust executive measures. The language reflects confidence that the Trump administration will prioritize religious freedom concerns over diplomatic convenience, marking a clear departure from previous policy approaches.

The legislative push comes as religious freedom advocates criticize what they describe as years of Western government underreaction to Nigeria’s Christian persecution crisis. Nigeria was previously designated as a Country of Particular Concern but later had that designation removed, drawing sharp criticism from religious liberty organizations. Stutzman’s legislation would lock the designation into statute, preventing future administrations from quietly reversing course for political expediency.