RED LINES: Republicans respond to Trump’s ISIS strikes on ‘terrorist scum’ in Nigeria

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From Washington Examner:

Congressional Republicans are widely supporting President Donald Trump’s strikes against ISIS in Nigeria, with many who had recently been on a delegation to the foreign country praising the president for protecting Christians.

Trump ordered strikes on Christmas Day against the Islamic State group’s terrorists in northwest Nigeria, claiming ISIS “terrorist scum” were killing Christians. The strike came after the president declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” leading several House lawmakers to travel on a bipartisan delegation to the West African country to examine anti-Christian violence and persecution.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) and Reps. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) and Riley Moore (R-WV), who helped lead the delegation, praised the president’s actions in a statement Friday, saying “red lines are kept under President Trump.”

“Nigeria is the most dangerous place on Earth to follow Christ, and faith and humanity must be protected,” the lawmakers wrote. “Islamic terrorists will not overrule national security, religious freedom, and the right to worship. We were on the ground – we heard and saw firsthand of the failures to stop extremism and systemic violence against innocent people.”

“These strikes send a clear and unmistakable message: America will stand with persecuted believers, confront evil, and hold terrorists accountable,” the Republicans continued. “Radical jihadist networks remain an active and evolving threat to U.S. national security and global stability. Failure to confront them emboldens violence and their calls to export terror beyond their borders. We support the President’s decisive action to defend innocent lives, uphold religious liberty, and ensure terrorists know there are consequences for their atrocities. Peace through strength is not just a saying – it is the foundation of effective deterrence and lasting security.”

A similar statement was posted on X by Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“America stands firmly with our partners in eliminating the TERRORISTS who have targeted innocent Christians for extermination,” the committee wrote.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), who sits on the Armed Services Committee, wrote on X, “I commend President Trump, Secretary [of War Peter] Hegseth, and our brave troops for these strikes against bloodthirsty ISIS savages who are not only persecuting Christians, but also have killed many Americans.”

Trump’s usual critics, Democrats, are unusually silent about the strikes against ISIS operatives, unlike their vocal opposition to his actions against drug boats from Venezuela. Even centrist Republicans, who prefer Trump to dial back the use of his executive authority, are supportive of the Nigeria strikes.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to Islamist terrorists conducting genocide against Christians in Nigeria and nearby area,” said Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), who is among several Republicans who voiced concerns about Trump’s tariffs and the targeting of Venezuelan drug boats. “This military action is right. To intervene saves innocent lives. We praise our military for working around the clock to include Christmas.”

Read more at Washington Examiner

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