Donald Trump says US campaign against ICC is to protect Benjamin Netanyahu, not himself

President Donald Trump stated that a US campaign aimed at dismantling the International Criminal Court ICC is meant to shield Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with other officials from legal prosecution rather than himselfThe US President offered these remarks following a briefing by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a cabinet convening at Camp David where Rubio disclosed that five nations have declared intentions to withdraw from the tribunalThe announcements arrived after Washington initiated an international campaign earlier this month to counter what the administration deems a direct infringement on US national sovereignty Addressing the cabinet Trump clarified his personal standing regarding potential tribunal inquiries Theres no information that theyre after me Trump saidIt could happen but just so you know he Rubio is not trying to defend me Hes trying to defend Bibi and various other people Trump said employing Netanyahus widely known nickname But there are many people that shouldnt be looked at that way But there is no indication that Im one of them at this moment Trump addedResponding to the Presidents statements Secretary Rubio emphasised that American military personnel face the highest level of risk noting that US service members could potentially encounter legal proceedings years following their participation in armed conflictFormed in 2002 by the global community the Haguebased tribunal investigates war crimes genocide and crimes against humanity exercising legal jurisdiction solely when a sovereign nation demonstrates an inability or unwillingness to hold perpetrators accountableAlthough the US has never acceded as a formal member state the foundational statute grants the tribunal authority to prosecute individuals from nonmember nations if alleged atrocities occurred within the territory of a member state The current administrations hostility towards the international tribunal traces back to Trumps initial presidential termOpposition reemerged alongside proposals to penalise court officials following Trumps reelection in November 2024 when the tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in GazaEarlier this month Secretary Rubio condemned the Hague court pointing to demands from activist groups urging investigations into US personnel over border enforcement actions including migrant deportations and naval strikes targeting suspected maritime drug trafficking operationsAs part of the strategy to weaken the judicial institution the administration confirmed plans to persuade foreign governments to relinquish their membership while deploying travel restrictions and financial sanctions against tribunal personnel and affiliated entitiesHowever these executive actions face legal challenges from tribunal judges and American advocacy groups asserting that such measures violate constitutional free speech rightsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever