Sen. Ted Cruz Praises Trump for Designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” Vows to Expose Officials Behind Christian Killings

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has applauded President Donald Trump’s decision to officially designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” for what the administration describes as systematic persecution of Christians.

In a statement posted to X on Monday, Cruz wrote:

“I’ve been pushing legislation to designate Nigeria a CPC and to impose sanctions on the Nigerian officials responsible. Thank you to President Trump for his leadership in imposing the designation, and more broadly, for fighting to stop the murder of Christians in Nigeria.”

Cruz went further, signaling that he intends to publicly identify those within the Nigerian government he believes are responsible for the atrocities:

“Now we should take the next step and hold Nigerian officials accountable. I intend to be very explicit about who they are in the coming days and weeks.”

The senator’s comments come amid escalating diplomatic tension following Trump’s October 31 announcement that the U.S. would halt all assistance to Nigeria — and potentially consider military action — if the government in Abuja continues to “condone the killing of Christians.”

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the designation as “inconsistent with the facts,” insisting that the government is committed to combating extremism and protecting all citizens regardless of faith.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declaring that “China opposes any country’s interference in others’ internal affairs under the pretext of religion and human rights.”

However, Cruz and other U.S. conservatives have rejected such warnings. “China will not dictate our foreign policy to us,” said Rep. Riley M. Moore, defending Trump’s action and accusing Beijing of persecuting its own Christian pastors and ethnic minorities.

Cruz’s latest comments suggest that congressional Republicans may soon pursue targeted sanctions or naming-and-shaming measures against specific Nigerian officials accused of complicity in the violence.

The designation of Nigeria as a CPC marks a major escalation in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s second term, signaling a hardline stance on international religious freedom and potential economic and diplomatic fallout for Africa’s most populous nation.