Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling for a global campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, arguing the tribunal has become a threat to U.S. sovereignty by claiming authority to prosecute American troops, law enforcement officers, and elected officials.
In a Wall Street Journal opinion column published Monday, Rubio said the Trump administration is launching a diplomatic effort to persuade allies to reject the ICC's authority, warning that the court has evolved far beyond its original purpose.
"The ICC and its allies seek a standing world tribunal with near-unlimited reach," Rubio wrote, arguing the court is attempting to override the U.S. Constitution and American courts by asserting jurisdiction over U.S. citizens despite the United States never ratifying the Rome Statute establishing the tribunal.
Rubio said both Democrats and Republicans historically opposed allowing an international court to prosecute Americans.
He noted that former President Bill Clinton declined to submit the Rome Statute to the Senate for ratification, while Congress later passed the bipartisan American Servicemembers' Protection Act authorizing the president to use "all means necessary" to prevent Americans from being detained by the ICC.
Rubio pointed to the ICC's 2020 investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan as evidence the court has targeted Americans despite the United States maintaining its own military justice system.
Rubio also accused the ICC of being driven by "a powerful network of leftist nongovernment organizations, smug globalists, and hostile Third World governments united by their enmity toward the U.S."
According to CNN, the State Department is now leading what officials described as a "whole-of-government campaign" to diplomatically isolate the ICC.
Senior administration officials are urging countries to withdraw from the court, end financial support, and publicly reject its jurisdiction over American officials and service members.
CNN also reported the administration is considering additional sanctions, visa revocations, and travel restrictions against ICC personnel while warning that countries benefiting from U.S. security assistance could face increased scrutiny if they continue supporting the court.
"Using all the tools at our government's disposal, working beside every ally with whom we can make common cause, we will dismantle the ICC — brick by brick, if necessary," Rubio wrote.
The administration's campaign builds on actions taken during both Trump administrations against the Hague-based court.
The second Trump administration has already imposed sanctions on ICC officials over investigations involving both the United States and Israel.
Rubio argued allowing the ICC to prosecute American military personnel, Border Patrol agents or federal officials would undermine U.S. independence and national sovereignty.
"This is America," Rubio wrote. "Our forefathers fought a revolution against a foreign power 'transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.' Independence is our birthright."