NEW YORK — U.S. President Donald Trump called on member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to withdraw from the court, describing it as a “rogue institution” and an “out of control institution.”
Addressing the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump said the United States would not allow its service members to be subjected to what he called show trials by an anti-American tribunal.
“I call on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately,” he said.
“We will NEVER allow U.S. service members or anyone else to be investigated or given show trials by an anti-American tribunal with no jurisdiction over us,” Trump added.
In his wide-ranging address, the President also accused global institutions of ignoring the persecution of Christians worldwide and criticized the UN’s human rights focus.
“I mean, Christians are being persecuted all over the world. It’s not even believable,” he said, adding that the UN was focusing on criticizing the United States for its domestic policies on immigration and transgender issues rather than addressing what he described as genuine atrocities.
Context:
The United States is not a member of the ICC and has never ratified the Rome Statute that established the court. The ICC, based in The Hague, investigates and tries individuals charged with genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The speech was delivered during the general debate of the UNGA, where Trump also addressed immigration, national sovereignty, and the role of international institutions.
_Scorecard TV Reporting.
