United States President Donald Trump called on all member states to officially withdraw from the International Criminal Court during his address at the United Nations General Assembly, according to AFP. Trump criticized the permanent independent tribunal as “out of control” and acting arbitrarily during the session.
Trump Demands Withdrawal at United Nations General Assembly
According to AFP reporting from New York, President Trump used his UN General Assembly speech on Tuesday to target the global judicial body. “The United States also opposes the out-of-control institution, known as the International Criminal Court,” Trump stated during the address. He added a direct appeal to member governments, calling on all ICC member states to immediately and formally resign from the institution which he described as acting arbitrarily.
The push against the tribunal follows statements from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who vowed to dismantle the court “step by step.” Rubio characterized the judicial body as an “intolerable threat to US sovereignty.” The ICC operates as a permanent independent court designed to prosecute individuals for mass atrocities, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Washington Imposes Sanctions Following Arrest Warrants
Washington has already enacted a series of sanctions against court officials, fueled by anger over the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu remains a close ally of the United States. In his UN speech, Trump reaffirmed that the US “will never allow US military personnel or anyone else to be investigated or put on trial in a kangaroo court by an anti-American court that has no jurisdiction over us.”
President Donald Trump called on all ICC member states to immediately and formally resign from the institution, which he described as acting arbitrarily.
Neither the United States nor Israel belongs to the court. The US never ratified the Rome Statute, which serves as the foundational treaty for the tribunal. Other global powers, including Russia and China, also remain outside the organization’s membership.
Did You Know?
The International Criminal Court is governed by the Rome Statute, which serves as the basis for the court’s formation and its jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the United States a member of the ICC?
No, the United States is not a member of the International Criminal Court and has never ratified the Rome Statute.
Why did Washington sanction ICC officials?
The US government imposed sanctions on court officials following the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Which other countries are not ICC members?
Alongside the United States, nations such as Israel, Russia, and China are not members of the court.
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