Introduction
Despite branding himself as a “man of peace,” President Donald Trump’s actions during the first five months of his second term have contributed to a disturbing escalation of global conflict. From enabling brutal regimes to undermining international law, Trump’s role in supporting war crimes across multiple regions—Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran—marks one of the most troubling legacies of any U.S. president in modern history.
Empty Promises of Peace
Trump repeatedly claimed that wars would “never happen” under his leadership, and that global conflicts would end on “day one” of his return to office. These assertions have proven not only false but dangerously misleading. In reality, Trump’s rhetoric and policy decisions have emboldened authoritarian leaders, undermined international institutions, and fueled deadly military campaigns.
I. Ukraine: Enabling Putin’s War Crimes
Russian President Vladimir Putin stands accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of war crimes, including the abduction and forced relocation of thousands of Ukrainian children. His military has carried out widespread bombing campaigns targeting civilians, hospitals, and critical infrastructure across Ukraine.
Rather than holding Putin accountable, Trump has amplified Kremlin disinformation and echoed many of Moscow’s false narratives about the war. He has reportedly obstructed or delayed vital military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine—actions that have directly weakened Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. With Trump’s backing, Putin has become further emboldened in carrying out crimes against humanity and violating international law with impunity.
II. Gaza: Complicity in Collective Punishment
In Gaza, Trump has offered unwavering support to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is himself under investigation for war crimes. Trump not only endorses Netanyahu’s harshest policies but has also taken the unprecedented step of threatening ICC judges after the court issued arrest warrants.
Trump has advocated for the mass expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, a stance that violates international law and potentially constitutes ethnic cleansing. His affiliated organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has faced allegations of deliberately blocking aid and participating in the targeting of civilians attempting to access food and medical relief. Both GHF and Israeli forces have been accused of weaponizing hunger, a recognized war crime under the Geneva Conventions.
At the same time, Trump has worked to dismantle the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the principal international body providing aid to Palestinians, effectively undermining humanitarian lifelines for millions.
III. Iran: Driving a New Conflict
Trump’s role in destabilizing Iran began in his first term when he withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. In his second term, he has escalated tensions further by demanding that Iran abandon even peaceful nuclear activities, while offering continued military and diplomatic cover to Israel—one of the few nations in the region with an undeclared nuclear arsenal.
Most recently, Trump has supported an unprovoked military campaign against Iran, providing logistical and material support to allied nations executing the offensive. Legal experts and human rights advocates argue that this constitutes participation in an illegal war of aggression—a recognized crime under international law.
Conclusion: A Pattern of Crimes Against Humanity
Trump’s actions have had devastating consequences across three major regions. In Ukraine, his support for Putin has helped prolong a brutal war. In Gaza, his alliance with Netanyahu has fueled widespread civilian suffering and obstructed humanitarian efforts. In Iran, his aggressive posture has brought the world closer to another potentially catastrophic conflict.
Taken together, Trump’s foreign policy has not promoted peace but rather facilitated war crimes and crimes against humanity. His legacy is one of complicity, not diplomacy—and the human cost continues to mount.