Trump's Storm Looms Over the ICC

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) is bracing for turbulence with Donald Trump’s return to power soon. The former president’s allies have already launched an aggressive counterattack following the ICC’s announcement of arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials over the Gaza conflict. The fiery rhetoric and pointed threats suggest Trump’s administration will adopt a combative stance against the global tribunal.

 

“The ICC has no credibility, and these allegations have been refuted by the U.S. government,” declared Representative Mike Waltz, Trump’s incoming national security adviser, on X (formerly Twitter). Waltz defended Israel’s actions, stating, “Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists. You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January.”  

 

"The ICC’s arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant is outrageous, unlawful, and dangerous. Leader Schumer should bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC. If he chooses not to act, the new Senate Republican majority next year will."

The ICC’s arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant is outrageous, unlawful, and dangerous. Leader Schumer should bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC. If he chooses not to act, the new Senate Republican majority next year will. pic.twitter.com/kckPXPOoLD

— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) November 21, 2024

 

Echoing Waltz’s condemnation, Senator Tom Cotton issued a scathing critique of the ICC and its top prosecutor, Karim Khan. “The ICC is a kangaroo court, and Karim Khan is a deranged fanatic. Woe to him and anyone who tries to enforce these outlaw warrants,” Cotton posted.  

The ICC is an absolute farce, putting Netanyahu in the same class as Putin and warlords like Joseph Kony. This is exactly why America should never recognize its jurisdiction.

— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) November 21, 2024

 

The United States has historically maintained a complex relationship with the ICC, cooperating selectively on war crimes investigations despite not being a member. However, this latest development may mark a sharp departure from that precedent. Trump has yet to weigh in personally on the issue, but Republican lawmakers are already laying the groundwork for a potentially severe response.  

 

One immediate consequence could be the end of U.S. cooperation with the ICC on investigations into Russian war crimes in Ukraine. This sentiment was voiced by Senator Jim Risch, the incoming chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “While I supported the work the ICC was doing to prosecute Putin for his war crimes in Ukraine, I can no longer support an organization that has blatantly chosen to disregard its mandate,” Risch stated.  

 

Risch has also championed legislation aimed at sanctioning ICC officials, a move that has sparked significant discord within Congress. The proposed sanctions bill is a priority for Republicans and could further inflame tensions between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A Republican Senate aide, speaking anonymously, remarked, “His bill will absolutely be a priority next Congress if Biden or Schumer don’t act sooner.”  

 

The implications of the ICC’s actions extend beyond U.S. domestic politics. European allies are now in a precarious position, caught between adhering to international law and maintaining relations with Washington. The arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant mean they could face detention in any of the 120 countries that are ICC members. This includes key U.S. allies such as the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands, where the ICC is based. The Dutch government has already stated it would comply with the court’s ruling.  

 

Such developments threaten to exacerbate already fraught relations between the U.S. and Europe under a Trump presidency. With both Washington and its allies grappling with the fallout of the ICC’s decision, the stage is set for a contentious chapter in international diplomacy. For the ICC, a storm is undoubtedly on the horizon.  

 

Based on a report by Politico 2024-11-23

 

 

 

[Thingamabob]

As a Brit I find it hard to believe that Starmer agreed with the ICC's move against our ally Israel. This must be a mistake.

[nobodysfriend]

It seems the US has chosen it's side , and it is not the good one ...

I see big change coming , Xi Jinping , Modi  , Da Silva , all want a new world order , and Trump will help them by isolating the US .

By the way , did you see China's new stealth fighter jet ? ( https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a62906352/china-new-stealth-fighter-j-35a/ )  They are progressing very fast , they have their space station , have been on the dark side of the moon without incident ...

Maga ? May be for the people who live in the states , for the rest of the world , US dominance wanes continuously .