Trump Administration Cancels Biden Rule Blocking US Arms Use in International Law Violations
Washington (Quds News Network)- The Trump administration has revoked a Biden-era policy that required US allies to ensure American weapons were not used in violations of international law, reported the Washington Post.
An order from National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, issued on Feb. 21, directed the immediate repeal of Biden’s National Security Memorandum, known as NSM-20. The memo had mandated that countries receiving US arms provide written assurances they would not use them in ways that breach humanitarian law. It also required them to facilitate US-backed humanitarian aid, with the risk of arms supplies being suspended for noncompliance.
The policy was introduced during Biden’s presidency amid concerns over Israel’s genocide in Gaza. However, it failed to stop Israel from violating international law.
Sarah Yager, Washington director for Human Rights Watch, said the rule “wouldn’t have been necessary if the Biden administration had simply followed US laws on arms transfers.” She challenged the Trump administration to prove it would comply with existing legal standards.
Last October, Drop Site News cited Israeli officials as stating that former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved a policy allowing Israel to bomb humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza.
The repeal of NSM-20 is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to roll back policies that aimed to distance the US from complicity in Israel’s violations of international law. In his first term, Trump eased restrictions on US battlefield commanders and prioritized economic benefits over civilian protections in arms sales.
