Marco Rubio accuses ICC of serving 'global elites' and vows U.S. will not accept rulings on Americans
At a Federalist Society event Rubio attacked the ICC's authority and said Washington would respond if the court tried to enforce rulings against U.S. citizens.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the International Criminal Court (ICC) of using international law as an instrument of "global elites" and warned that Washington will not accept ICC decisions that concern American citizens.
Speaking at a Federalist Society convention in the United States, Rubio criticised the court for attempting to apply rules the United States does not recognise. He previously announced sanctions against the ICC after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged crimes in Gaza.
Rubio's complaint and Washington's stance
Rubio said the court "answers to no one" and argued it has the authority to investigate and prosecute U.S. citizens under laws Washington has not accepted. He stated that, although Washington signed the Rome Statute, it never ratified it.
The secretary of state also warned that the United States would respond if the court attempted to enforce its rulings against Americans.
The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of the gravest international crimes and operates as a court of last resort when states lack adequate mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable.
Rubio additionally spoke about the foreign policy of Donald Trump’s administration, saying international law is being used against nearly every major decision made by that government. His remarks fuelled speculation about his political ambitions as a possible successor to Trump, although he denied preparing a run for the 2028 presidential election.
Photo: press material from the event
