WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration is beginning a brand new effort to counter what it sees as a risk to U.S. sovereignty from the Worldwide Prison Courtroom (ICC), a State Division official mentioned on July 13.
President Donald Trump and different U.S. leaders, together with former President George W. Bush, have lengthy argued that the ICC mustn’t have the ability to analyze or prosecute People, particularly members of the navy.
Earlier this 12 months, Reuters reported that the Trump administration supported sanctions in opposition to ICC officers partly to stop any future makes an attempt to carry Trump or his officers chargeable for U.S. navy actions overseas.
The State Division official, who spoke anonymously, mentioned the U.S. is contemplating many choices to behave in opposition to the ICC. These embody journey bans, visa cancellations, stronger sanctions in opposition to the ICC and associated teams, and diplomatic efforts to strain different nations to withdraw from the court docket.
The ICC was created in 2002 to prosecute warfare crimes, genocide and crimes in opposition to humanity, with its workplaces in The Hague, the Netherlands. It solely takes motion if a member nation can’t or is not going to prosecute such crimes itself. America has by no means joined the ICC.
Trump’s opposition to the court docket dates again to his first time period as president. It grew to become stronger once more after his re-election in November 2024, when the ICC issued an arrest warrant for his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the moment, plans had been made to punish ICC officers.
Final month, three ICC judges filed a lawsuit in opposition to Trump and his administration over sanctions imposed on them final 12 months, saying the measures had been illegal.
The State Division official mentioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio and different senior U.S. officers are additionally pressuring different nations as a part of a marketing campaign to diplomatically isolate the ICC and cease it from focusing on People.
In March 2020, ICC prosecutors opened an investigation into Afghanistan, which included taking a look at potential crimes by U.S. troops. Nevertheless, since 2021, the court docket has decreased its deal with the U.S. and as a substitute targeting alleged crimes by the Afghan authorities and Taliban forces.
The official mentioned nations that work with U.S. legislation enforcement, host U.S. navy bases, or rely upon U.S. safety assist are being requested to reject what the U.S. sees because the ICC’s claimed authority to prosecute American officers and repair members.
The official added that nations that proceed to assist the ICC whereas counting on U.S. help could face nearer scrutiny.
The official mentioned the USA would carefully watch which nations select to face with it in opposition to what it described as a risk to People who danger their lives to guard others.
