U.S. Ends Requirement to Report Arms Use to Congress 

United States: The Trump administration has repealed a Biden-era rule that required notifying Congress about potential international law violations linked to U.S. weapons supplied to allies, particularly Israel. According to two U.S. officials and a well-informed source, this decision ends National Security Memorandum-20 (NSM-20), which President Biden signed in February 2024 following U.S. bomb usage during Israel’s Gaza War, as reported by Reuters. 

Purpose of NSM-20 and Biden’s Report Findings 

NSM-20 mandated periodic reports to Congress on how foreign nations used American-supplied weapons. In May 2024, the Biden administration’s report acknowledged that Israel might have violated international humanitarian law. However, due to the chaotic nature of the Gaza conflict, no concrete instances of violations could be confirmed. The Trump administration was expected to submit a Congress-approved evaluation of Israel’s military actions in the coming months. 

Decision Announced by National Security Adviser 

According to The Washington Post Michael Waltz from the White House revoked NSM-20 on February 21. Two U.S. officials along with a well-informed source validated the revocation yet Reuters lacked independent evidence to verify this information. The White House has not issued any comment on the topic. 

Political Reactions and Concerns 

Senator Chris Van Hollen strongly criticized NSM-20’s repeal by describing it as “shameful” and claiming this policy undermines national security together with global human rights and United States credibility. He stressed that this decision violates American taxpayers’ authority to guarantee funding is consistent with national values and serves national interests, as reported by Reuters. 

Broader Implications for U.S. Military Aid 

cNSM-20 applied to all military operations involving U.S. aid recipients, especially in conflict zones where U.S. officials had concerns about human rights compliance. Upon resuming office on January 20, President Trump issued an executive order to review all defense security memoranda implemented under former President Biden’s administration.