WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration is stepping up its campaign against the International Criminal Court (ICC), with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging allied countries to reject the tribunal's authority. Rubio said the effort is aimed at protecting U.S. sovereignty and preventing American military personnel and government officials from being subjected to the court's jurisdiction.
The United States is not a member of the ICC and has consistently rejected the court's authority over its citizens. Rubio also warned that countries supporting the tribunal while receiving U.S. assistance could face diplomatic pressure, including sanctions and visa restrictions, as Washington seeks broader international support against the Hague-based court.
The move marks the latest effort by the Trump administration to challenge the ICC, which investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. While U.S. officials argue that the tribunal has exceeded its mandate, legal experts and human rights groups warn that weakening the court could affect international efforts to hold perpetrators of the world's gravest crimes accountable.
