U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said he will work to dismantle the International Criminal Court during remarks in the Philippines [1].
These comments signal a sharp escalation in U.S. opposition to the Hague-based tribunal, which seeks to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Because the U.S. is not a party to the ICC treaty, the senator's push to eliminate the court represents a move to permanently insulate U.S. officials from international legal jurisdiction.
Rubio said on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting on July 23, 2024 [1]. During the appearance, he described the court as being composed of "lunatics and crazies" who are discussing the possibility of filing charges [1].
He said the ICC is a "stupid organisation" [2]. Rubio said that while other nations may choose to sign the treaty and join the body, the United States will not participate in its proceedings [2].
The senator said that the lack of a formal treaty agreement means U.S. officials cannot be tried by the court [3]. He said that he views the organization as illegitimate and pledged to work toward its total removal [3].
"I will work to dismantle the International Criminal Court," Rubio said [3].
This stance aligns with a long-standing tension between U.S. sovereignty and international law. By calling for the court's destruction, Rubio moves beyond simple non-participation toward an active campaign to end the institution's existence [3].
“"I will work to dismantle the International Criminal Court."”
The call to dismantle the ICC reflects a broader U.S. policy of exceptionalism, where the United States asserts that its own legal system is the only legitimate authority for its citizens. By targeting the court's existence rather than just its specific cases, this approach threatens the stability of international humanitarian law and the global framework for prosecuting war crimes.
