US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vows to dismantle ICC and rejects its jurisdiction

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a “whole‑of‑government” effort to undermine the International Criminal Court (ICC), declaring that the United States will never accept the court’s jurisdiction over American citizens. Speaking to reporters in Manila during an ASEAN meeting, Rubio called the ICC a “stupid organization” run by “lunatics and crazies” and warned that Washington would see “consequences” for ignoring the court.

Rubio said the United States will “dismantle the ICC – brick by brick, if necessary,” accusing the tribunal of overstepping its authority and threatening U.S. sovereignty. The ICC, based in The Hague, responded by reaffirming its mandate to end impunity for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The dispute comes amid U.S. sanctions on several ICC judges and prosecutors, part of the broader campaign to limit the court’s investigative reach.

The exchange highlights a sharp clash between the United States and the international justice system, with the U.S. maintaining its non‑membership in the Rome Statute and the ICC defending its global jurisdiction.