Al-Maliki Rejects US Pressure: Trump’s Threats Are a Blatant Violation of Iraq’s Sovereignty
Iraqi political forces condemn Washington’s interference as an assault on democracy and national independence
Iraq | PUREWILAYAH.COM — Iraqi political leader Nouri al-Maliki has firmly rejected any form of American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, describing threats issued by US President Donald Trump over the formation of the next Iraqi government as a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
In a statement published on Wednesday via the X platform, al-Maliki—leader of the State of Law Coalition—stressed that he will not abandon political life and reaffirmed his commitment to continue working until the end in pursuit of Iraq’s supreme national interests.
“Threats and Dictates Have No Place Between Sovereign States”
Al-Maliki emphasized that relations between states must be governed by dialogue, not coercion.
“The language of dialogue between states is the only legitimate political option,” he wrote, “not the language of dictates and threats.”
He described US pressure as an unacceptable intrusion into Iraq’s independence, its democratic process, and the constitutional right of the Iraqi people and their institutions to make sovereign decisions free from foreign coercion.
Trump Threatens Iraq Over Al-Maliki Nomination
Al-Maliki’s statement came in response to a post by President Trump on the Truth Social platform, in which Trump warned against the re-election of al-Maliki as Iraq’s prime minister and threatened to cut US assistance to Iraq should such a decision be made.
Trump justified his threat by referring to what he described as al-Maliki’s previous term in office.
The remarks sparked widespread political backlash in Iraq, where they were seen as an explicit attempt to impose American veto power over Iraq’s elected leadership.
Coordination Framework Nominates Al-Maliki
On Saturday, the Coordination Framework, the largest parliamentary bloc in Iraq, officially announced the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki to form the next Iraqi government.
The move was described by Iraqi parties as a constitutional and democratic entitlement derived from parliamentary majority, further intensifying condemnation of Washington’s intervention.
Islamic Dawa Party: US Interference Is “Blatant”
The Islamic Dawa Party, led by al-Maliki, called on the Coordination Framework to assume responsibility in confronting what it described as “blatant American interference” in Iraq’s political process.
In a statement dated January 28, 2026, the party stressed that the largest parliamentary bloc had exercised its full legal and constitutional right to nominate a prime ministerial candidate, adding that this democratic process should have proceeded uninterrupted were it not for the postponement of the presidential election session.
The statement described al-Maliki as a national political figure and a pillar of Iraq’s post-2003 political process, crediting him with restoring security and state authority during a period marked by widespread terrorism, daily civilian casualties, assassinations, and car bombings across Baghdad and other Iraqi cities.
Iraqi Resistance Forces Condemn US Meddling
The Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq Movement, led by Qais al-Khazali, also rejected foreign interference, stating that Iraqis are fully capable of identifying their national interests and selecting leaders qualified to manage the country.
The movement called on all Iraqi political forces to unify national decision-making and prioritize Iraq’s interests in order to protect the political system from internal and external challenges.
“Political Assassination” of Al-Maliki
Commenting on Trump’s remarks, Abu Alaa al-Wala’i, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, accused the US president of attempting a “political assassination” of al-Maliki.
“Trump—the criminal who physically assassinated the leaders of victory—now seeks to repeat the act by politically assassinating Haj Nouri al-Maliki through direct interference and rejection of his nomination,” al-Wala’i wrote on X.
He described the US intervention as a direct attack on Iraq’s democratic experiment after 2003 and an attempt to hijack the will of voters who sought a strong government reflecting Iraqi interests rather than American preferences.
“American Democracy Is a Lie”
The Huqooq Movement stated that Trump’s remarks violate Iraq’s sovereignty and constitutional right to choose its prime minister without external interference.
The movement argued that such statements expose the falsehood of American claims to democracy, calling on national forces to unite and resist pressure aimed at manipulating Iraq’s sovereign decision-making.
“Iraq Is the Master of Its Own Affairs”
Mohsen al-Mandlawi, head of the Al-Asas Alliance, also rejected all forms of international interference, describing them as a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
“These interventions have brought Iraq nothing but instability, deepened crises, and weakened state institutions,” he said.
Al-Mandlawi stressed that Iraq has proven its ability to manage its internal affairs and build a state based on law, justice, and citizenship, concluding:
“Iraq is the master of its own destiny. We will not allow any external party to interfere in our internal decisions or constitutional entitlements.” (PW)