Trump States ICC Campaign Intended to Defend Netanyahu

President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the U.S. campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) is intended to defend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others from prosecution, rather than to protect himself. Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat, Trump noted that there is currently no indication the court is pursuing him. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ICC as arrogant and illegitimate, arguing that the court improperly claims authority over non member states. Rubio stated that the administration is working to bring the court to heel, noting that five countries have announced plans to quit the court since the U.S. launched its campaign this month.

Rubio further argued that U.S. service members are the individuals in the greatest danger of prosecution. The Trump administration has indicated it will lobby other countries to leave the court and may use travel bans and sanctions against the ICC and affiliated organizations. These efforts follow the ICC's issuance of warrants for Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Israel has rejected these warrants as biased and antisemitic.

The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. While neither the United States nor Israel are members, the court asserts jurisdiction over crimes committed on the territory of member states by nationals of non member states.