Nobody expected to see this.
In an unusual break from years of hostile coverage, the editorial board of The Washington Post offered rare praise for President Donald Trump following recent U.S. military strikes against ISIS terrorists in Africa.
The Post acknowledged that the Trump administration’s airstrikes targeting ISIS militants in Nigeria marked a “welcome change,” particularly as Christian communities in the region have faced escalating violence and mass killings.
The editorial, published over the weekend, credited Trump with decisive leadership at a time when radical Islamic terror groups are expanding their footprint across West Africa.
A Rare Admission From the Media
According to the Post, some within Trump’s own advisory circle have argued for scaling back America’s global military presence. However, the paper said the president’s decision to strike ISIS targets demonstrated that the United States remains capable of projecting strength when necessary.
The editorial described the operation as a reminder that American leadership still plays a critical role in global security—language rarely used by the paper when discussing Trump-era foreign policy.
Trump Announces Christmas Night Strike
President Trump announced the operation on Truth Social, stating that U.S. forces carried out precision airstrikes in northwest Nigeria on Christmas night.
Trump said the targeted terrorists were affiliated with ISIS and had been “viciously killing innocent Christians” in the region. He warned that further action would follow if the violence continued.
The president emphasized that the strikes were conducted under his authority as Commander in Chief and described the mission as both decisive and necessary.
Why Nigeria and the Sahel Matter
The Post noted that the U.S. strikes focused on ISIS’s Sahel Province, a branch of the terror group that has been battling an al-Qaeda-linked network attempting to destabilize Mali.
According to the editorial board, if Mali were to fall, it would represent the first time an anti-Western Islamic terror organization has taken control of a country since the Taliban seized Afghanistan.
The paper also described the Sahel region as the current epicenter of global terrorism, accounting for roughly half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide.
Terror Groups Regrouping After Middle East Defeats
After being driven out of large portions of Iraq and Syria, extremist organizations have increasingly relocated to West Africa, where weak governments and porous borders allow them to regroup and expand.
The Post warned that history shows ISIS does not remain isolated once it establishes territorial control, often exporting violence beyond its immediate region.
Ignoring the crisis, the paper argued, could have serious long-term consequences for global stability—including threats that eventually reach Western nations.
Concerns Over Long-Term U.S. Commitment
While supportive of Trump’s action, the editorial board questioned whether the strike would be followed by a broader, sustained strategy.
The paper pointed to past U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region, including the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, which an audit found to be underfunded and ineffective.
The Post also raised concerns that Pentagon plans to reduce Africa-focused military resources could weaken America’s ability to counter growing terror threats.
China and Russia Waiting in the Wings
Beyond security risks, the editorial warned that a U.S. pullback would leave Africa increasingly vulnerable to influence from China and Russia, both of which are aggressively expanding their presence across the continent.
Ceding ground, the paper argued, would be a strategic mistake with long-term geopolitical consequences.
Media Acknowledges Trump’s Leadership
In closing, the Post urged continued U.S. engagement in Nigeria, noting that the country’s central government has struggled to restore security and has welcomed cooperation with Washington.
“It’s good that Abuja is willing to work closely with the United States to stop the slaughter,” the editorial concluded, adding that President Trump “would be wise to remain engaged.”
For many readers, the moment stood out not just for the policy itself—but because even one of Trump’s most critical media outlets was forced to acknowledge decisive leadership when confronted with undeniable results.
