Trump signs memo labelling anti-Christian views as ‘domestic terrorism’

US President Donald Trump has signed a memo authorising the national Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to “investigate, prosecute, and disrupt entities and individuals” engaged in acts of domestic terrorism.

The presidential memo was signed on September 25.

Under the decree, views leaning towards anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity were labelled as “common threads” of domestic terrorism.

Trump also cited support for the overthrow of the US government; extremism on migration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality, as acts of domestic terrorism.

“These movements portray foundational American principles (e.g., support for law enforcement and border control) as ‘fascist’ to justify and encourage acts of violent revolution,” the memo reads.

“This ‘anti-fascist’ lie has become the organizing rallying cry used by domestic terrorists to wage a violent assault against democratic institutions, constitutional rights, and fundamental American liberties.”

The US president said the JTTF would investigate “potential” crimes relating to acts of recruiting or radicalising persons for the listed acts.

The JTTF was also mandated to target NGOs and American citizens residing abroad or with close ties to foreign governments, agents, citizens, foundations, or influence networks engaged in money laundering by funding, creating, or supporting entities that engage in activities that support or encourage domestic terrorism.

Trump asked the task force to prioritise investigations into crimes such as funding of terrorist acts or otherwise facilitating terrorism.

RISING CONCERNS OVER ‘ANTI-CHRISTIAN’ SENTIMENTS IN NIGERIA

The signed memo comes amid growing fears globally about “rising anti-Christian” behaviours in Nigeria.

In recent days, Nigerian and American social media users have revived conversations about an alleged genocide of Christians in the country.

Last month, there were claims that more Christians have been killed in Nigeria than Palestinians in Gaza since the start of 2025.

Cable Check, TheCable’s fact checking arm, debunked these claims.

However, those views resurfaced in the recent online conversations.

Nigeria has repeatedly rejected these views.

In a statement on Sunday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality.

Idris labelled the claims as false, baseless, despicable, and divisive.