Trump says US campaign against ICC aims to protect Netanyahu, others, not himself

President Donald Trump asserted on Friday that the United States' campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court is aimed at protecting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other individuals, rather than himself.

Trump's remarks followed a cabinet meeting where Secretary of State Marco Rubio reported that five countries had declared their intention to withdraw from the court. This action was taken after the US initiated a campaign against the ICC, which it views as a threat to American sovereignty.

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There's no information that they're after me.

"There's no information that they're after me," Trump stated, adding that Rubio's efforts were focused on defending "Bibi and various other people." He acknowledged that while he could potentially be targeted, there was currently no indication of that.

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he (Rubio) is not trying to defend me. He's trying to defend Bibi and various other people.

Rubio, in turn, highlighted that US service members are most at risk, potentially facing prosecution for actions taken during wartime. The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, was established in 2002 to prosecute grave international crimes. It exercises jurisdiction when a member state is unable or unwilling to do so. Although the US is not a member, the ICC statute allows it to prosecute atrocity crimes committed on member state territory by nationals of non-member states.

Trump's opposition to the ICC predates his presidency, resurfacing with a plan to penalize ICC officials after the court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 concerning alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. The Trump administration has vowed to lobby other nations to leave the court and employ sanctions and travel bans against ICC officials and affiliated organizations. This stance has drawn opposition from ICC judges and US advocacy groups, who argue the administration is infringing on free speech rights.

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But there are many people that shouldn't be looked at that way. But there is no indication that I'm one of them at this moment.