Joe Biden recognizes Armenian killings by Ottoman Empire as an act of genocide White House / Wikimedia Commons Related Stories US President Joe Biden previously pledged to recognize the mass murder of Armenians back in the First World War as an act of genocide. Over the weekend, Biden fulfilled his campaign promise by formally acknowledging the horrific events as an act of genocide. The White House released a statement of Biden’s formal recognition of the massacre as genocide, signaling a break from his predecessors, who have usually avoided acknowledging the events as such. Many lawmakers and activists have previously urged Biden to formally declare genocide, despite the US’ already strained relationship with Turkey. Prior to his formal declaration, Biden had already spoken to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Friday.