US CODE: Title 18,2441. War crimes

Here's a section of the US Criminal code (US Criminal Code is what is commonly referred to as 'federal law') that talks about war crimes. This is the law of the land, and applies to every person in the country, even the President.
Note this section of the statute:
(c) Definition.— As used in this section the term "war crime" means any conduct-

(1) defined as a grave breach in any of the international conventions signed at Geneva 12 August 1949, or any protocol to such convention to which the United States is a party;

(2) prohibited by Article 23, 25, 27, or 28 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, signed 18 October 1907;

(3) which constitutes a violation of common Article 3 of the international conventions signed at Geneva, 12 August 1949, or any protocol to such convention to which the United States is a party and which deals with non-international armed conflict...

Now you'll recall that all along the administration, in particular, the President, VP, and Sec-Def Rumsfeld have tried various excuses as to why the Geneva convention shouldn't apply to the 'war on terror'. However, the Hamdan decision specifically states it does apply and that the administration cannot claim otherwise.
This was already obvious to everyone but the administration, but even they know it now.
They know it now, and they are running scared. As posted here before, they are now open to war crimes charges.
Those involved must believe they may have committed war crimes as they are now trying to pass a law to specifically exempt themselves from prosecution.

Oh, BTW, under this statute, the penalty for causing the death of a detainee is execution.

US CODE: Title 18,2441. War crimes

If you are wondering if war crimes were committed, you've had your head in the sand. This is just one source* of evidence at one location, Abu Garab. The US has (not so) secret detainee prisons around the world.

*Note, contains graphic images, not suitable for everyone.