Marco Rubio
Rubio accused the ICC of “waging war against the U.S., not with bullets or missiles,” but “through the force of so-called international law.” The Donald Trump administration considers the court’s activities a direct threat to national security. The conflict has been ongoing since Trump’s first term. At that time, the court attempted to investigate the actions of the U.S. military in Afghanistan. RBC-Ukraine reports this, citing CNN.
An Ultimatum for Partners and Allies
Now the U.S. is demanding that other countries make a choice. Those who continue to support the ICC may lose U.S. funding. “Countries that refuse to reject the flawed authority of the International Criminal Court while relying on U.S. aid are likely to come under increased scrutiny,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Rubio has already outlined the main tools of influence. “Using every tool at our government’s disposal, working side by side with every ally with whom we can find common ground, we will dismantle the International Criminal Court—brick by brick, if necessary,” Marco Rubio wrote.
How the U.S. Will Combat the ICC
To achieve its goals, the U.S. will seek to completely isolate the institution diplomatically. It plans to ban travel for ICC staff, revoke visas, and impose harsh economic sanctions.
Rubio considers the ICC a tool of political struggle. He claims that the court is controlled by forces hostile to Washington. In his view, the institution “supports and controls a powerful network of left-wing non-governmental organizations, self-righteous globalists, and hostile third-world governments, united by their hostility toward the United States.”
It is worth noting that, in addition to the United States, Russia also has grievances against the International Criminal Court. On March 17, 2023, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
