President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is viewed as crucial by critics who fear potential prosecution of U.S. military and government personnel by an ambiguous judicial system in the Netherlands.
Richard Goldberg, a former Trump administration member from the National Security Council, expressed to Fox News Digital, “This represents a crucial initial move in safeguarding American soldiers and officials from unwarranted legal battles instigated by radical anti-American elements within what is increasingly perceived as a biased global court. While the focus may currently be on Israel, the concern is that the U.S. could also face unfounded investigations by the court regarding alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.”
Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, commented, “The actions of these ICC officials have crossed a red line by involving themselves in the conflict against the United States and Israel, distorting international law and turning it into a weapon of warfare. The president has left room for further action as well. These sanctions are specifically targeted at officials and those who support the court, rather than the court itself. If this misuse of legal processes continues, there is a possibility of moving to the next level and shutting down the court.”
President Donald Trump, right, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu answer questions during a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 4, 2025. ( REUTERS/Leah Millis)
Dozens of countries expressed their “unwavering support” for the ICC on Friday, a day after Trump authorized potentially far-reaching economic and travel sanctions against the court’s staff.
“We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC,” a group of almost 80 countries said in a joint statement. “The court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims.”
The signatories came from all parts of the world but make up only about two-thirds of the 125 member states of the permanent court for the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression.
Among the countries who agreed to the statement were France, Germany and Britain. Among those absent were Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy.
Goldberg said that “The president wasn’t going to wait around on Schumer’s games to act. The minute Senate Democrats blocked the bill it was a guarantee you would see an executive order follow. But if Schumer now says he supports the order, Senate Republicans should move quickly to codify it and force Schumer back to a vote.”
Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer,D-NY., torpedoed a GOP-led bill to sanction the ICC in January.
Reuters and Fox News’ Diana Stancy contributed to this article
