UNITED NATIONS — US President Donald Trump has called on all countries that belong to the International Criminal Court to withdraw from the court, accusing it of acting beyond its authority and targeting Americans.
Speaking Tuesday at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump described the ICC as an “out of control” institution and an “evil group of people.”
“I call on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately,” Trump said.
Trump said the United States would not allow its military personnel to face what he described as “show trials” before what he called an anti American tribunal.
The United States is not a member of the ICC, which was established under the 1998 Rome Statute and began operating in 2002. The court prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
Washington has long rejected the court’s jurisdiction over US citizens without US consent.
US pressure on the court
Trump’s remarks come as his administration moves to put greater financial pressure on the ICC.
The United States has already sanctioned ICC judges and prosecutors, including officials involved in cases concerning Israeli leaders. The administration has also opposed the court’s investigations into alleged crimes involving US personnel in Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused the ICC of being politically motivated and has said Washington intends to isolate the court.
The administration is now considering wider sanctions that could target the ICC as an institution and restrict financial and commercial dealings with it, according to Reuters. Such measures could affect the court’s roughly 900 employees and make it harder for the institution to access the US dominated financial system.
The proposed action would mark a significant escalation in Washington’s campaign against the court.
ICC says sanctions threaten its independence
The ICC has rejected the US measures and said sanctions against its officials threaten judicial independence.
The court does not have its own police force. It depends on member states to arrest suspects, provide funding and support its investigations and prosecutions.
That leaves the court vulnerable to political pressure from powerful countries, particularly when major states refuse to recognize its jurisdiction.
Trump’s appeal now puts pressure on the court’s 125 member states to decide how they will respond to Washington’s campaign.
Japan and European countries have continued to support the ICC, while the US government has urged countries to reconsider their membership. Reuters reported that European officials have discussed ways to shield the court from the effects of US sanctions.
Iran also dominates Trump’s UN address
The ICC was one of several major foreign policy issues raised by Trump during his speech.
He also warned Iran that it faced a choice between reaching a deal with Washington and facing further US military action.
Trump called for continued economic pressure on Tehran and accused Iran of supporting attacks and pursuing nuclear ambitions. Iranian representatives walked out during parts of the speech, according to reports.
Trump also spoke about the Russia Ukraine war, US national security and artificial intelligence during his address.
But his call for countries to leave the ICC placed the future of the international court at the center of his criticism of the global system.
For the court, the question is no longer only whether it can withstand US sanctions. It is also whether its member states will continue to provide the political, financial and diplomatic support needed for it to operate.
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