Democrat Demands Trump Charged in International Court for 'Crimes Against Humanity'
Ohio Democratic lawmaker blasts president over coronavirus pandemic handling
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A Democratic Ohio state lawmaker is demanding that President Donald Trump is dragged before an international court and prosecuted for "crimes against humanity."
State Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-OH), who was reportedly named a senior advisor to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign in February, made the calls during a Sunday night meltdown while blasting the Trump Administration's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and declaring that she "can't take it anymore."
Galonski vowed to turn her attention away from her constituents and onto federal and international matters by referring President Trump to the International Criminal Court.
The Ohio legislator claims Trump's promotion of a drug to fight COVID-19 that has not been conclusively proven constitutes as "crimes against humanity."
Taking to Twitter on Sunday night, she posted about her intention to report the president to The Hague.
When asked by the Capital Journal newspaper if she legitimately intends to pursue this action, Galonski replied: “Yes!”
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Galonski's outburst came after President Trump spoke about hydroxychloroquine at his daily press briefing.
The drug, normally used to treat malaria, is one of several that the president has pointed to as showing promise in the fight against COVID-19, but its effectiveness has been a subject of debate due to the lack of clinical testing against the Chinese virus.
"I can’t take it anymore. I’ve been to The Hague. I’m making a referral for crimes against humanity tomorrow," Galonski said.
"Today’s press conference was the last straw.
"I know the need for a prosecution referral when I see one."
I can’t take it anymore. I’ve been to The Hague. I’m making a referral for crimes against humanity tomorrow. Today’s press conference was the last straw. I know the need for a prosecution referral when I see one. https://t.co/XQin24gqY4
— Rep. Tavia Galonski (@RepGalonski) April 6, 2020
The Hague is the site of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which boasts 123 state parties. The United States is not one of them.
Only member states or non-members who accept the ICC's jurisdiction can make referrals.
Alternatively, the United Nations Security Council can also refer a matter for investigation.
"Crimes against humanity" is a category of offense that the ICC handles.
The court provides a list of crimes that fall under this, including murder, extermination, enslavement, torture, and "other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering or serious bodily or mental injury."
Fox News asked Rep. Galonski if there is a specific crime she is accusing Trump of committing, and how she plans on pursuing charges given the United States' non-member status. She did not immediately respond.
Galonski is not the only one to question Trump's promotion of hydroxychloroquine, given that the FDA has not approved it -- or any other drugs -- specifically for treating COVID-19.
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Many governors, public-health officials, and others have warned that the drug has shown major side effects and its efficacy still remained unproven as a treatment for COVID-19.
Some experts have expressed concern that widespread use of the drug could lead to complicating access for people who need them for rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
There have been instances of doctors saying they have had success with it, but Dr. Antony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBS' "Face the Nation" that the data is "at best suggestive."
Fauci said he does not think "we could definitely say it works," noting that in some cases there has been "no effect," and in others, it may have been effective.
When Fauci was asked about the drug at Sunday's press briefing, Trump said, "He’s answered that question 15 times."
Despite the apparent inconclusiveness one way or the other about the drug, Galonski appears confident that she has grounds to bring a case against the president, and is calling on attorneys with international experience to reach out and help her.
