Accountability for Presidential Actions

Despite numerous challenges, foreign governments and U.S. lawmakers have the potential to initiate processes for holding the president accountable.

On September 22, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly. During his speech, he issued two explicit threats. He proposed military action in Latin America meant to serve U.S. interests. He also threatened both the Iranian government and its citizens with annihilation.

These proposed actions violate various international laws. Such laws include those prohibiting war and international humanitarian law, which safeguards civilians during conflicts. Furthermore, the U.N. Charter explicitly bans even threatening aggression, while the laws of war—integral to U.S. law—prohibit indiscriminate threats against civilians.

President Trump’s discussion of which countries to invade or destroy constituted criminal acts. These acts unfolded in front of thousands of diplomats and state leaders.