Trump jokes ICC could target him as US pushes nations to quit Court

United States President Donald Trump has joked that he is not yet a target of the International Criminal Court (ICC), even as his administration intensifies efforts to weaken the global tribunal and encourages member states to withdraw from it.

Trump made the remarks on Friday during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential retreat in Camp David, interrupting Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he defended Washington’s hardline position against the court.

> “By the way, there’s no information that they’re after me,” Trump said, drawing laughter from Cabinet members. “But it could happen.”

The president then referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, popularly known as “Bibi,” who is the subject of an ICC arrest warrant issued in 2024.

> “He’s not trying to defend me. He is trying to defend Bibi and various other people,” Trump remarked.

The comments came as the Trump administration continues its diplomatic campaign against the Hague-based court, which it accuses of exceeding its authority and threatening the interests of the United States and its allies.

Rubio reiterated the administration’s opposition to the tribunal, describing the ICC as an illegitimate international institution.

> “We tried to get them to reform and listen to us. They wouldn’t do it. They’re very arrogant. We’ve now begun an effort to really try to bring that court to heel,” Rubio said.

He added that several countries had already withdrawn from the court or announced plans to do so, urging more member states to follow suit.

The ICC, established in 2002 under the Rome Statute, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression when national judicial systems are unwilling or unable to act.

Neither the United States nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute that created the court.

Relations between Washington and the ICC have remained strained for years and have deteriorated further under the Trump administration. Earlier this month, the United States launched a renewed diplomatic campaign against the tribunal, promising additional sanctions while encouraging partner countries to withdraw their membership.

According to reports, some ICC judges are already under U.S. sanctions.

Meanwhile, Chad and Venezuela have recently announced their decisions to withdraw from the court, developments the Trump administration cited as evidence of growing dissatisfaction with the institution.