‘Don’t Build Girls’ Schools Right Next To A Naval Base’: Donald Trump’s Former National Security Adviser Finds No Fault In School Bombing by the US
Paddy O’Connell’s interview with former National Security Adviser John Bolton has been met with criticism. The United States hit a girls’ school in a strike, and Bolton felt the need to give his unsolicited advice.
“If that was the United States, can that be justified?” O’Connell asked on BBC Newsnight regarding a girls’ school that was hit during the United States’ strike against Iran. The attack reportedly killed at least 168 students and fourteen teachers.
“I don’t think the United States, in any conceivable circumstance, would directly target a civilian structure like that,” Bolton defended. He added that if an American weapon was responsible for the destruction, then the weapon must have malfunctioned.
“And my advice to the Iranians in the future, and anybody else, is that… don’t build girls’ schools right next to naval bases.”
Another guest reacted to Bolton’s advice. Former Pentagon Middle East advisor Jasmine El-Gamal states, “There are certainly schools in American military bases.” She adds that there are hospitals and other civilians in these military bases—a community, essentially.
“That was an example of the most callous and reckless manifestation of power—not just American power, any power—embodied in one man,” she says of Bolton.
“This is someone who sits in an office in Washington D.C. and says that it’s okay to go out and try to change a regime, when actually what that means is to displace, kill…” She adds, citing the multiple repercussions the attack on Iran would have.
Against The Rules of War
If this crime had happened on U.S. soil, would Bolton pardon it as yet another weapon malfunction? Would he advise Americans not to build schools near naval bases or military bases as well? The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has 161 schools in nine districts, eleven different countries, and seven states. The children going to these schools are sons and daughters of American service personnel. Are they valid targets in Bolton’s view?
There’s no justifying the inexcusable. Regardless of Bolton’s falling out with Trump, the United States, upon investigation, was responsible for killing students and teachers in Minab.
International humanitarian law (IHL) emphasizes that civilians cannot be attacked, as they don’t partake in the hostilities. Strikes against civilian objects such as schools and hospitals are also prohibited under IHL. Bombing an unarmed warship? It’s in the gray area of IHL, but killing defenseless schoolgirls in their place of education? There’s no other way around it—that is a war crime.
Can Politicians be Tried for War Crimes?
In theory, Americans are not powerless in the face of their leaders’ actions. The War Crimes Act of 1996 makes specific war crimes listed under IHL federal criminal offenses. Additionally, the Crimes Against Humanity Act of 2010 can be applied during peacetime, which may apply since the United States has not officially declared war.
It’s important to note that Trump has presidential immunity for all official acts. Therefore, the International Criminal Court (ICC) may be an option to hold Trump accountable in due time, as it disregards domestic immunity when prosecuting crimes against humanity. However, the United States did not ratify the Rome Statute in the Senate—thus, making a trial under the ICC unlikely.
But Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth does not have official immunity from prosecution. As the executor of Trump’s war, Hegseth can still be tried domestically under the Crimes Against Humanity Act. Additionally, the articles of impeachment have also been filed against Hegseth in December 2025—while not yet in motion, it goes to show that there is still an avenue in which the defense secretary is answerable.
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