U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) accused the International Criminal Court of waging a war against the United States [1].

The remarks signal a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and the Hague. By calling for the dismantling of the court, Rubio is targeting a body that holds the power to investigate global war crimes, which could include the actions of U.S. military personnel and government officials.

Rubio spoke at a press briefing held at the State Department in Washington, D.C. [2]. During the briefing, he described the court as an intolerable threat to American sovereignty [3]. He said the ICC's actions undermine the ability of the U.S. to conduct foreign policy and protect troops stationed abroad [4].

"The International Criminal Court is waging a war against the United States," Rubio said [1].

While some reports misidentified Rubio as the Secretary of State, he is a member of the U.S. Senate [1]. The senator said the court's jurisdiction poses a risk because it could pursue prosecutions of U.S. officials for actions taken in foreign territories [3].

Rubio vowed to launch a campaign to end the court's influence [3]. He said, "We will dismantle the ICC because it is an intolerable threat to American sovereignty" [3].

This confrontation highlights a long-standing friction regarding the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The U.S. is not a party to the treaty, a position that allows the U.S. to avoid being a member while still opposing the court's attempts to exercise jurisdiction over its citizens [3].

Rubio's comments reflect a broader legislative effort to shield U.S. personnel from international legal reach. He said the court's reach is an overstep that threatens the national security interests of the United States [4].

“"The International Criminal Court is waging a war against the United States."”

This move represents a hardline approach to international law, prioritizing national jurisdiction over global judicial oversight. If the U.S. successfully campaigns to dismantle or further isolate the ICC, it could weaken the court's ability to prosecute war crimes globally, while simultaneously removing the legal risk for U.S. officials operating in conflict zones.