Tag: Trump

 

 

US Parliament Shade Trump, Says Threatening Military Action Against Nigeria Is Rrresponsible, Reckless

Two members of the United States parliament, Gregory W. Meeks and Sara Jacobs, have condemned President Donald Trump’s recent threat to cut off aid and launch military action against Nigeria.

Mr Trump had recently threatened to take military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

 

But Mr Meeks, a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Ms Jacobs, ranking member of the Africa Subcommittee, described the comments as “irresponsible and reckless.”

In a joint statement on Monday, the lawmakers also rejected the Nigerian designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the Trump administration.

 

“The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern ignores the complex reality of violence there,” the lawmakers said.

“Clashes between farmers are many but not all of whom are Christian—and herders are driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion alone.”

They noted that terrorist groups have killed both Christians and Muslims across the country, particularly in the predominantly Muslim north, which continues to face violent attacks by criminal gangs commonly referred to as bandits.

“All Nigerians deserve protection, and we know President Tinubu recognizes the importance of interfaith harmony and is working to address this challenge,” the statement added.

ALSO READ:  JUST—IN: U.S. Congress Mulls Sanctions on 12 Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers, Judges Over Alleged Religious Persecution

The lawmakers further criticized Mr Trump’s remarks threatening to “defend Christians” through possible military intervention, calling it a “reckless response to distorted facts”.

“It is incredibly irresponsible of President Trump to threaten military action. Providing security support is one thing; threatening military intervention is another matter entirely. Such rhetoric risks embroiling the United States in another needless war,” they said.

On the threat of aid cut to Nigeria, the lawmakers argued that doing so would undermine critical humanitarian and development programs in Nigeria.

“Trump’s aid cuts have blocked much-needed emergency nutrition and livelihoods training, the very types of programs essential to stopping the spread of insurgency,” they stated.

 

 

 

 

​WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order dramatically escalating the U.S. commitment to Qatar’s defense, declaring that any armed attack on the Gulf nation’s territory or critical infrastructure will be regarded as a direct threat to the peace and security of the United States.

​The move, announced late Wednesday, comes just weeks after an unprecedented Israeli airstrike hit a compound in Doha targeting leaders of the Hamas political bureau.

(President Donald Trump signing the Executive Orders)

The September 9th attack, which failed to kill its top targets but resulted in the deaths of a Qatari security official and several others, has severely strained regional diplomacy and raised profound questions about the security of a key American ally that hosts the largest U.S. military presence in the Middle East.

​The full text of the executive order leaves no ambiguity, promising that in the event of an attack, the United States will “take all lawful and appropriate measures, including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military, to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar.”

​The order establishes a security guarantee that, while falling short of a formal mutual defense treaty, is the most forceful public assurance of protection the U.S. has extended to a non-NATO Arab nation in decades, effectively treating a military strike on Qatar as a potential act of war against Washington.

​The decision follows weeks of high-stakes diplomatic maneuvering sparked by the Israeli strike on Doha. Qatar has long served as an indispensable, if often criticized, intermediary between the West, Israel, and militant groups like Hamas, hosting the group’s political office at the request of the U.S. to facilitate communication and cease-fire talks.

​The attack occurred while Hamas officials were reportedly meeting to discuss a U.S.-backed proposal for a pause in the war in Gaza, instantly complicating the fragile diplomacy.

Qatari officials condemned the strike as a violation of their sovereignty and an act of “state terror,” with some regional leaders questioning Doha’s continued ability to mediate effectively.

​For President Trump, the executive order is a powerful signal aimed at stabilizing a critical partnership. Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), housing thousands of American troops and operating as the central hub for U.S. air operations across the region.

The security of this base, and the stability of the host nation, are paramount to American interests.

​An Ally Caught in the Crosshairs
​The executive order’s language is particularly salient given that the recent threat to Qatar’s sovereignty came from Israel, a long-standing American ally. Following the Doha strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly conveyed regret to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani for the loss of a Qatari official.

​The U.S. announcement coincided with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Washington this week.

The timing has been interpreted by analysts as an attempt by the Trump administration to reassert American diplomatic leadership and provide a clear red line following the Israeli operation, which reportedly proceeded despite last-minute warnings from the White House.

​The executive order stops short of naming a potential aggressor, but its content—specifically the pledge of potential military action—is widely viewed as a clear deterrent message to all regional actors, including Israel and Iran, both of whom have interests that clash in the small, energy-rich peninsula.

​For Qatar, which was designated a major non-NATO ally under the previous administration, the executive order is a major diplomatic victory, cementing its position as a central pillar of U.S. security architecture in the Middle East and providing a powerful shield against future attempts to undermine its sovereignty or its diplomatic role.

The commitment, however, now binds the U.S. more closely than ever to the defense of a nation that continues to maintain complex, and sometimes contradictory, relationships across the geopolitical spectrum.

 

By Sylvester Udemezue

I have just read with keen interest the news report announcing that U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a massive increase in visa fees for skilled workers entering the United States, raising the cost by $100,000 (about ₦150 million).

While many may react with outrage or despair, I see in this decision an opportunity for sober reflection, especially for Nigerians. For too long, many of our citizens have adopted “japa” (mass emigration) as the most attractive response to the challenges of governance, insecurity, unemployment, and systemic failure at home. Understandably, people want better lives. But mass exodus is not, and cannot be, a sustainable solution to our national problems.

History is replete with examples of countries that confronted deep crises but chose to fight for reforms from within rather than flee. Egyptians stood their ground during the Arab Spring. Algerians rose to challenge poor governance. The people of Tunisia, Nepal, and Yemen took destiny in their hands. They did not run away en masse; they confronted their realities until positive changes emerged.

Nigeria must learn this lesson. “Japa” may offer temporary relief, but it is essentially escapism. Those who leave often discover that life abroad is not without its own struggles, sometimes humiliating, sometimes demeaning. Many end up in second-class status, facing discrimination or limitations. And eventually, most still yearn to return home. But what home will they return to if the country is not rebuilt today?

This is why, on September 25, 2020, shortly after the Edo governorship election, I wrote an article titled “2020 Elections: Edo State As A Pacemaker Towards Realizing the Democracy of Our Dreams in a Perennially Troubled Country?” In it, I said:

“Nigerian youths, I salute you. You are not lazy; you are the leaders of Nigeria’s tomorrow… Amen. Your destiny is in your hands! The day you rise to say ‘enough is enough’ to these manipulative, exploitative, egoistic, corrupt, and inept politicians and leaders (and you can do it), that day will mark the beginning of Nigeria’s journey out of Golgotha. Your exploits on September 19, 2020, in Edo State, showed clearly that you are able and capable. You stopped election rigging; you resisted vote-buying; you curtailed electoral violence and exposed malpractices, just as you gallantly did in Edo State. That spirit of courage and resilience is the same spirit Nigeria urgently needs today.”

Those words remain true today. If our youths could summon such determination in Edo, they can do even greater things for Nigeria as a whole. Instead of lamenting Trump’s action, Nigerians should see it as a clarion call. If migration becomes almost impossible due to prohibitive costs, then we must stay back and focus our energies on fixing our country. Imagine if our youths (full of creativity and courage) could channel their focus away from Yahoo-Yahoo, Yahoo-Plus, drug abuse, and desperate attempts to escape, and instead spend even one month working earnestly towards reforming Nigeria. The results would be remarkable.

In truth, Trump may have done us an unintended favour. His policy should inspire us to embrace the urgent duty of national rebirth. Other countries may follow suit, and if they do, it will only hasten the moment when Nigerians finally turn inward to reform and reposition their own land.

Fellow Nigerians, let us take this as a wake-up call: you cannot cherish what you do not nourish. The destiny of our country lies in our own hands, not in foreign visas. The time has come to stay, to fight, and to rebuild our country, Nigeria.

Respectfully,
Sylvester Udemezue (Udems)
Proctor, The Reality Ministry of Truth, Law and Justice (TRM).
08021365545.
udems@therealityministry.ngo.
(20 September 2025)

 

“I don’t accept the United States becoming a police state, and I’m really worried about it, and I feel terrible for people who are being deported,” said Cathy Grad, a lawyer, who graduated from Columbia Law School.

NEW YORK,  (Xinhua) FLOWERBUDNEWS: – Despite continuous rains, tens of thousands of people showed up in New York City on Saturday afternoon to join nationwide “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration’s policies.

Over 90 “No Kings” protests are planned for the day across New York state as millions across the whole country are expected to take part in a “nationwide day of defiance.” According to the “No Kings” website, the nationwide protest has been organized to “(reject) authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of our democracy.”

New York City alone had protests at multiple locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.

In particular, thousands of protesters gathered around Bryant Park and filled Fifth Avenue, before making a peaceful march toward Madison Square Park.

Protesters carried various signs denouncing the Trump administration and chanted “What do we want? No ICE (the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)! When do we want? Now!” “No justice, no peace!” “No deportation!” and others.

“The vibe is really cool. Everyone is just really mellow. I got luck reading all the signs,” said Todd Brown who came down to New York City from Westchester County in the north.

Todd Brown and his son Luca Brown made their signs on the train on Saturday morning.

“We have people in our community who have been taken by ICE without any due process, with no habeas corpus,” Luca Brown said.

Todd Brown expressed his hope that people would be coming out and the peaceful activity going to end what’s happening.

“I hope the courts keep doing their job and the people keep doing their job,” said Luca Brown.

“We need to show up that we care,” said Love Bauer, a New Yorker who held a sign reading “Democracy dies in silence”.

It’s not okay that Trump administration is cutting federal programs, funding for science, health care, clean energy and election security in order to keep funding defense and taking away Medicare from millions of Americans who are already struggling to receive the health care that they need to live, he added.

“The tariffs affect all of us. They’re raising the cost of goods for everybody,” Bauer said on the impacts of the Trump administration’s policies on herself.

“I don’t accept the United States becoming a police state, and I’m really worried about it, and I feel terrible for people who are being deported,” said Cathy Grad, a lawyer, who graduated from Columbia Law School.

Lucy Warner, a retired public school teacher in her 80s, said the defunding of the United States Agency for International Development and other federal departments and agencies worried her most.

“That’s what we’re violating at a mile a minute. It’s important to remember that this is what we are supposed to stand on. I feel very frightened,” said Warner, referring to a copy of the U.S. Constitution in her hand.

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By Paul Ejime

The full impact of the U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s controversial foreign trade tariffs and aid cuts is still unravelling. Yet, the same government plans a 5% tax on Diaspora remittances, which will hurt millions of households in struggling economies around the world.

Love or hate him, Trump has made himself a larger-than-life, enigmatic brand in international affairs, and those who choose to ignore or underestimate him often do so at great peril.

Like COVID-19, which struck him in October 2020, despite his denial of the virus during his first presidency, America’s 45th president (2017-2021) and 47th (January 2025 to date) is as unpredictable as the British weather, devastating as the Japanese Tsunamis and tempestuous as the American hurricanes.

Better known as a real estate businessman and The Apprentice TV reality show celebrity, Trump captured the world’s imagination with his dramatic entry into politics a few years before America’s 2016 elections.

Shattering predictions by professional pundits and poll stars, he won the presidency that year, apparently to his own surprise, too.

Waxing in his unorthodox views and methods, Trump is not the typical politician, but has mastered how to beat the system, and gets away with actions, conspiracy theories and statements that have put many in trouble or in jail.

If he taught professional politicians a few lessons during his first term, his second term, which was 100 days old on 30th April, is already very eventful, characterised by controversial domestic and foreign policies and interventions ranging from the Russia-Ukraine war to the Israel-Hamas conflict and alleged mistreatment of Whites in South Africa.

The Trump administration proposes scrapping UN peacekeeping funding and threatens some of the UN’s critical agencies with suspending financial support.

The government has also toyed with ‘Making Canada, America’s 51st State’ and taking the Panama Canal, to rename it the ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ These are drastic measures with potential far-reaching implications.

Hidden on page 327 of what the U.S. House Republicans are hailing as “the one, big, beautiful bill,” President Trump’s proposed 5% Tax on Remittances is contained in the House Ways and Means Committee’s controversial tax plan, targeting electronic money transfers that have increasingly, helped fund investments, basic needs, and propped up economies worldwide.

The tax is estimated to affect 40 million people, including green card holders and individuals with H-1B, H-2A and H-2B visas. U.S. citizens are exempted.

It would be implemented through financial institutions and money transfer service outlets at the point of transaction, regardless of the amount or purpose of the transfer.

According to its supporters, the bill aims to make the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, while increasing the standard deduction and extending the child tax credit, among other objectives.

This follows the Republican Party’s anti-illegal immigration stance, and attempts to increase tax revenue and reshape American trade relations with the rest of the world.

Political analysts predict that, should the House of Representatives pass the 5% tax bill by May 25th as anticipated, it could be signed into law by early July.

According to The Financial Express, quoting a World Bank Report, India, the world’s top recipient of remittances, with about USD$83 billion annually, mainly from the United States, is expected to be worst hit by the 5% American tax.

Cumulatively, Africa, in 2023, received about USD$100 billion in remittances – nearly 6% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring the important role the remittance funds play in supporting families and contributing to sustainable economic growth on the continent.

The same report showed that ‘Diaspora remittances’ surpassed Foreign Development Investment (FDI) at USD$48 billion, and Official Development Assistance (ODA) at USD$42 billion, highlighting the significant impact of remittances on Africa’s economic landscape, with some 40.4 million Africans said to be living and working abroad as of 2022.

Jones Amegbor, of the PayInc Group, was quoted as saying the 5% levy could ‘unravel years of work’ that fintechs have achieved in streamlining Cross-Border financial transactions.

“We have worked hard to build trust, reliability, and formal rails that protect senders and recipients alike. One can only hope that clearer heads prevail and this bill falls swiftly,” he added.

The 10 African countries with the highest diaspora remittances in 2024 were:

Rank Country Remittances in USD$
1 Egypt 22.7 billion
2 Nigeria 19.8 billion
3 Morocco 12.0 billion
4 Kenya 4.8 billion
5 Ghana 4.6 billion
6 Senegal 3.0 billion
7 Zimbabwe 3.0 billion
8 Zambia 2.8 billion
9 Uganda 1.49 billion
10 DR Congo 1.3 billion

Egypt topped the list, with USD$ 22.7 billion, primarily from its Diaspora in the Gulf, Europe, and North America.
Nigeria followed with USD$19.8 billion, mainly contributions from its diaspora communities in the U.S. and the U.K.

Morocco, Kenya, and Ghana completed the top five, with USD$ 12 billion, USD$ 4.8 billion, and USD$ 4.6 billion, respectively, showing strong support from their global diaspora population.

According to the World Bank Report 2023, remittances play a critical role in bolstering economic stability and household incomes in low- and middle-income nations, steadily surging by 57%, while FDI has declined by 41% in the last decade.

Nearly 25 countries globally rely heavily on remittances, which account for over 10% of their GDP, according to the report.

In 2023, Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies, accounted for 38% of remittance flows to the region, indicating a growth of 2%, while Ghana and Kenya recorded increases of 5.6% and 3.8%, respectively.

The pull and push factors driving Africans’ migration abroad include the pursuit of better employment and education prospects, higher incomes, and greater economic and political stability.

Economic experts believe that this trend is expected to continue, driven by migration dynamics, including income disparities, and the impacts of climate change, all adding to migration pressures.

The Trump administration’s proposed 5% tax will take a huge toll on the vital economic lifeline and source of external funding for Africa from its migrant workers at a time when financial experts are advocating for a reduction in existing charges.
The situation could even get worse should other countries follow the American example.

Trump and his cult supporters are within their rights to pursue the ‘America First’ or ‘Make America Great Again’ agenda. Yet the disruptive and inconsiderate policies from a country that preaches justice and equal opportunities seem to be promoting inequality and an unfriendly global ecosystem.

Labour migration is a global phenomenon as old as human existence. While the Trump administration is laser-focused on curtailing or stopping irregular migration, legitimate migrants in America should not be subjected to multiple taxation or unfair financial treatment as they struggle to live a decent life and cater to their families back home after paying their dues in their host country.

Diaspora remittance is not aid. The funds from legitimate earnings by foreigners in America should not be jeopardised by the Trump government’s tax revenue-chasing policy.

Meanwhile, despite the optimism of GOP leaders, the controversial tax bill has run into a storm in Congress with some representatives opposing cuts to services they consider essential to their constituents, including Medicaid.

Unsurprisingly, Trump has angrily snapped at lawmakers refusing to back the bill.

“Not only does it (the bill) cut taxes for all Americans, but it will kick millions of Illegal Aliens off of Medicaid… The Country will suffer greatly without this legislation… It will be blamed on the Democrats, but that doesn’t help our voters. We don’t need ‘grandstanders’ in the Republican Party. Stop talking, and get it done,” the maverick president posted on his Truth Social platform.

The jury is still out on the controversial bill.

But its opponents expect well-meaning Americans, especially fair-minded lawmakers across the aisle in Congress, to ensure that the anti-Diaspora aspects are removed; they would not only hurt the Diaspora communities but also their families and countries.

*Paul Ejime is a Media/Communications Specialist and Global Affairs Analyst*

 

 

 

– “People in office right now care more about the 1 percent, just extremely rich people and not really the rest of this country,” said Sophie, one of the protesters.

by Xiong Maoling, Hu Yousong

WASHINGTON:   (Xinhua)/Flowerbudnews:  — “Stop illegal deportations!” “Due process now!” “Workers should have power, not billionaires!” “The constitutional crisis is here!” … A recent protest in front of the White House featured a variety of eye-catching handmade signs.

On Saturday, a wave of protests swept once again across the United States. In cities including Washington D.C., New York, San Francisco and Boston, people took to the streets to condemn policies of the administration of Donald Trump, such as deporting immigrants, government layoffs and imposing tariffs, which they believe infringed on citizens’ rights and violated the Constitution.

Frank, who works for a nonprofit organization, told Xinhua that he came to protest in front of the White House against Trump and his administration, “who are working against the Constitution and working against the people.”

“I think Donald Trump is criminalizing people for using free speech, especially students and immigrants, and deporting people without due process,” said Frank. “In the United States, everyone is assumed innocent until proven guilty, but Donald Trump is getting rid of people’s visas and kicking them out of the country without any trial.”

Three months into Trump’s presidency, his administration is only making the rich richer, Frank said. “All their policies are to make sure that the rich people who donated to his campaign get even richer. So ending taxes for the rich, ensuring that companies are stronger and more powerful, it’s a billionaires’ agenda, not the people’s agenda,” he said.

Seated by the railing on the north side of the White House, the Wood couple held a sign reading “Congress = Cowards.” They had driven over three hours from Bradford County, Pennsylvania, to join the protest.

Mrs. Wood told Xinhua that Trump’s deportation of illegal immigrants lacked due process, and everyone should have the opportunity to defend themselves in court. The Trump administration claims that those being deported are criminals, yet some were arrested simply for having tattoos.

“They’re picking on people of color. It is totally racist … It’s white supremacy all the way,” she said.

 

An elderly protester holding a sign that reads “Grannies Against Trump,” who chose not to reveal her name, told Xinhua that her granddaughter had worked for a contractor partnering with the U.S. Agency for International Development but was laid off after just six weeks in the position. She had to take a part-time job as a barista.

“There may be things like making the government smaller, saving dollars, that I agree with, but it’s how you do it. How do you execute? Who do you hurt along the way, and what are your intentions and morality?” she said.

For Sophie, who works with AmeriCorps, an agency for national service and volunteerism, the Trump administration’s federal funding cuts are of great concern. She told Xinhua that the federal agency engages in community service across the nation, including environmental restoration, disaster relief, food assistance and early education programs.

“AmeriCorps is basically just doing different service projects across the United States, and that was sadly defunded, illegally raided,” Sophie said. “It’s just upsetting.”

“People in office right now care more about the 1 percent, just extremely rich people and not really the rest of this country,” she said.

Joining Sophie in the protest was Mackrie, a small business owner who runs a construction company in Virginia. She told Xinhua that President Trump promised to lower prices during his campaign, but is doing the exact opposite. The tariff policies currently implemented and under consideration are expected to raise her company’s operating costs, including the prices of Canadian-imported lumber and office supplies, both of which are likely to increase.

“Prices are going to go up. Some people can’t afford to live, and it’s really sad,” said Mackrie.

 

While expressing dissatisfaction with specific policies, protesters were deeply concerned about the weakening of the democratic system and the constitutional crisis. Many signs featured keywords like “due process,” “constitutional crisis,” and “restore democracy,” reflecting a profound sense of concern among Americans about the state of democracy and the rule of law.

As for the “Congress = Cowards” sign, the Wood couple explained that they were deeply disappointed with the Republican-controlled Congress for remaining silent on policies like immigrant deportations, tariff hikes and government layoffs, all of which have faced widespread public opposition.

“They’re not doing their job. They’re not standing up to be a balance against the other two branches of government, to give voice to our wishes, and they’re doing the opposite,” Mr Wood said.

Mrs. Wood also said that the Supreme Court ruling of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission has enabled billionaires to “buy their way into politics and Congress.” She called for the repeal of the ruling, which allowed wealthy individuals, corporations and organizations to have a disproportionate influence on politics through massive spending on campaigns.

“There’s too much money in politics,” she said.

Since Trump took office three months ago, protests against the policies of his administration have erupted frequently across the United States. Just on April 5, over 1,000 protests were held nationwide, covering all 50 states. In the capital of Washington D.C., protests have become a regular occurrence, driven by policies such as large-scale federal layoffs.

Vivian, a 17-year-old high school student from northern Virginia, told Xinhua that her father had recently started bringing her to demonstrations in downtown Washington, D.C.

“While I’m only 17, and I can’t yet get into the government, I’m tired of waiting and asking and begging adults to do their job. I want to see something happen now,” said Vivian.