United States Senator Ted Cruz has unveiled new legislative measures aimed at curbing the enforcement of blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s recent classification of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
The senator disclosed this in a statement on his official website shortly after Trump’s announcement, which cited ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Senator Cruz said, “I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination.”
He added that the designation aligns with his long-standing advocacy for the protection of Christians facing persecution in Nigeria.
“I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today.”
Cruz further explained the broader intent of the move, stating, “Today’s designation is a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behavior of Nigerian officials who have facilitated and created an environment conducive to the outrages in Nigeria.”
According to him, the proposed legislation will strengthen actions against Nigerian authorities accused of fostering conditions that encourage targeted attacks on Christians.
Highlighting the bill’s core provisions, he said, “My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who implement blasphemy and sharia laws in Nigeria, and I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance my bill and implement these necessary measures.”
He concluded, “Today’s decision by President Trump is a great one, and I thank him for his strong leadership.”
Background
On Friday, President Trump reiterated his stance on alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria, announcing that the country had been redesignated as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it,” he wrote.
Trump added that he had instructed Rep. Riley Moore, Rep. Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the issue and report back to him.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries,” Trump said. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
Senator Cruz initially raised the alarm over alleged “Christian genocide” in Nigeria during a September podcast with TV host Bill Maher, where he claimed Christians were being “systematically targeted and killed.” Maher and commentator Van Jones supported the claim, accusing Nigerian authorities of complicity.
However, the Nigerian government has dismissed the allegations as unfounded and malicious, describing them as propaganda intended to tarnish the country’s international image.
