Following Trump’s stance on Maliki, new American messages to Baghdad regarding government formation.
Following Trump’s stance on Maliki, new American messages to Baghdad regarding government formation.
2026-01-28
Shafaq News – Baghdad
US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, commented on Trump’s rejection of the nomination of State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership of the new Iraqi government, stressing Washington’s support for a political path that prevents a repeat of past mistakes.
Savaya wrote in a post on the X platform: “Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, let’s make Iraq great again.”
On Tuesday evening, Trump said in a post on the Truth Social platform that Maliki’s return to the premiership was “something that should not be allowed,” considering that Iraq had “slid into poverty and chaos” during his previous term.
He added that the United States would stop providing aid to Iraq if Maliki were re-elected, warning that this would undermine Iraq’s chances of “success, prosperity, or freedom,” and concluded by saying, “Let’s make Iraq great again.”
In a subsequent tweet, Savaya praised the position of US Congressman Joe Wilson, stressing the continuation of this effort, saying: “Together, we will make Iraq great again.”
For his part, Wilson wrote that he was grateful for the support of Trump and Savaya’s efforts regarding Iraq, and for working with them “to liberate Iraq from Iran,” stressing that the United States’ position is “clear and non-negotiable” under Trump, and that “Iranian influence in Iraq will no longer be tolerated.”
Wilson stressed that the new Iraqi government must serve only the interests of the Iraqi people, calling for the mistakes of the past not to be repeated.
He outlined a set of demands, including the disarmament of armed groups allied with Iran within a period of six to twelve months, an immediate and systematic approach to combating corruption and money laundering, and the establishment of an independent judiciary not subject to any partisan or political influences.
He also called for cutting off Iranian influence in Iraqi affairs, removing Iranian advisors and agents from state institutions, organizing the role of the Popular Mobilization Forces within the official armed forces under unified command and control, ensuring the competence and loyalty of cabinet members to the state, in addition to committing to building strategic economic and security relations with the United States.
Wilson concluded by saying that Savaya would play a crucial role in helping Iraq regain its sovereignty and stability, stressing: “No more Iranian influence in Iraq… Free Iraq from Iran,” as he put it.
shafaq.com
