WHAT DOES TRUMP’S REJECTION OF MALIKI MEAN? AN ANALYST EXPLAINS TO IRAQ OBSERVER
US President Donald Trump’s tweet, in which he openly attacked Nouri al-Maliki’s return to the premiership, has reshuffled the cards within the Shiite political establishment and opened a new door to conflict within the coordination framework, after it appeared that the internal settlement had been decided in favor of al-Maliki at the expense of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Political analyst Majashaa Al-Tamimi confirmed to Iraq Observer that “Trump’s tweet against Maliki has reshuffled the cards within the coordination framework.”
Al-Tamimi pointed out that this explicit rejection “raised the chances of the head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani, as he is the least costly option internally and the most acceptable externally.”
Al-Tamimi added that “the biggest strategic mistake made by those close to Maliki was promoting the idea that the Iranian Supreme Leader welcomed his return.”
On Tuesday evening, US President Donald Trump stated that the return of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to head the government again was something that should not be allowed.
Trump said in a post on the Truth Social platform: “I hear that great Iraq may be making a grave mistake by bringing back Nouri al-Maliki as Prime Minister. Under Maliki’s previous rule, the country slid into the clutches of poverty and utter chaos, and this should not be allowed to happen again.”
He added: “Because of his policies and extremist ideologies, if elected, the United States will cease providing aid to Iraq. And if we are not there to help, Iraq will have no chance of success, prosperity, or freedom.”
Trump concluded his post by saying: “Let’s make Iraq great again.”
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, the Coordination Framework announced the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki, head of the “State of Law Coalition,” for the position of Prime Minister, considering him the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, while calling on the House of Representatives to hold a session to elect the President of the Republic in accordance with the constitutional timelines.
The Coordination Framework said in a statement: “Based on our national responsibility, and keen to complete the constitutional entitlements within a context that preserves the country’s stability and strengthens the state’s path, the Coordination Framework held an expanded meeting of its leaders, in Hadi al-Amiri’s office today, Saturday, during which the political situation and the next stage were discussed.”
The statement added, “After an in-depth and extensive discussion, the Coordination Framework decided by majority vote to nominate Nouri Kamel al-Maliki for the position of Prime Minister, as the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, based on his political and administrative experience, and his role in running the state.”
He continued, “The coordination framework affirms its full commitment to the constitutional path, and its keenness to work with all national forces to form a strong and effective government, capable of facing challenges, providing services, and protecting Iraq’s security and unity.”
The Coordination Framework called on the House of Representatives to “hold its session dedicated to electing the President of the Republic in accordance with the constitutional timelines.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had withdrawn from the race for the premiership, paving the way for his political rival Nouri al-Maliki, after a deadlock that lasted for more than a month within the Shiite bloc, during which the forces of the Coordination Framework were unable to decide on a consensus candidate, which led to an internal settlement that practically ended al-Sudani’s competition and brought al-Maliki back to the forefront of the scene.