White House Discovers 'Law' Only Applies to the Unconnected
The NY Times frets over an executive branch 'flaunting its indifference to the law' (NYT, 10/24/25). This sudden concern over legal boundaries is curious, given the decades-long pattern of the U.S. government—across administrations—selectively applying and ignoring international law, sanctions, and even its own domestic laws concerning foreign aid. One might recall the swift waiver of Section 620I
of the Foreign Assistance Act in February 2024, allowing continued arms to Israel despite blatant human rights violations, a move that legally obligates the President to cut off aid. This selective 'peril' is particularly stark when compared to actions regarding allies. While Washington wrings its hands over hypothetical future legal transgressions, it routinely provides billions in aid and
diplomatic cover to governments that demonstrably violate international law, most notably Israel. Rep. Smith, for instance, received $450K from AIPAC in 2023 (OpenSecrets.org), then voted for HR 815, providing military aid despite acknowledged civilian harm. It seems some laws are more equal than others, and 'indifference' is a feature, not a bug, when aiding certain foreign policy objectives.