Trump Says US Sanctions on ICC Aim to Protect Netanyahu, Not Himself

US President Donald Trump revealed that the sanctions his administration imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague were primarily intended to protect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other individuals, rather than himself. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump dismissed claims that the US actions were meant to prevent future prosecutions of American officials, stating, "There is no information that they are after me. It might happen in the future, but the steps we took were not to protect me, they were to protect Bibi and others."

Shortly before Trump's remarks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed that five countries are considering withdrawing from the ICC following the US move. Rubio explained that the Trump administration views the ICC as a threat to US sovereignty and its military personnel. He noted efforts by human rights organizations to initiate investigations against US soldiers for their roles in immigration enforcement operations and anti-drug trafficking military actions at sea.

The US government argues that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over American citizens because the US is not a party to the Rome Statute. However, ICC rules allow prosecution of nationals from non-member states if alleged crimes occurred on the territory of a member state. Trump's statement marks one of his most direct acknowledgments linking the sanctions to protecting Netanyahu from potential ICC proceedings.