Rubio Declares No U.S. Serviceman Will Face ICC Trial, Stands Firm on ICC Criticism

During a tense exchange with reporters, Secretary of State Marco Rubio took a firm stance on the Trump administration’s campaign to neuter the International Criminal Court (ICC). He declared that he works for the United States of America, not for the ICC or its media enablers. Rubio was pressed on whether the United States demands protections for citizens of countries that have refused to join the ICC. He responded by stating that his priority is protecting American military personnel from potential international prosecution, particularly for actions carried out decades after the fact. He also rejected suggestions that foreign officials had pressured him to reconsider Washington’s position. The secretary of state argued that the threat has existed for years, even as successive American administrations have disputed the ICC’s authority over U.S. personnel. He warned that the United States would not tolerate a scenario in which an American fighter pilot or military officer could face arrest decades after participating in a military operation. Rubio concluded by stating that he works for America and cares about what it would mean for Americans. The Trump administration has now repeatedly told the ICC they have zero power over American soil and over American citizens.