Who tried to dispose of the newborn baby Jesus by making a decree for all baby boys to be killed?

King Herod the Great attempted to dispose of the newborn baby Jesus by issuing a decree for the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem, known as the Massacre of the Innocents. This decree was motivated by his desire to eliminate any potential rival to his throne, as he had heard from the Magi about the birth of a new king. Herod's actions were ultimately foiled when an angel warned Joseph in a dream, prompting the Holy Family to flee to Egypt.