State Department Initiates Campaign Targeting International Criminal Court

WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department announced a government-wide campaign on July 13, 2026, aimed at limiting the International Criminal Court's (ICC) operational capabilities and its jurisdiction over American personnel.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the campaign would address the ICC's authority to prosecute U.S. servicemen and officials. He indicated that U.S. presidents since the ICC's formation have maintained that the court lacks jurisdiction over Americans. The Secretary mentioned that the ICC previously opened an investigation into U.S. servicemen and intelligence officers, cases which remain open.

Rubio described the ICC as attempting to position itself as a global arbiter, acting as a supranational enforcement body. He stated that the campaign would utilize all diplomatic options to address this situation.

Proposed actions within the campaign include:

* Diplomatic engagement by senior U.S. officials, including the Secretary of State and ambassadors, to foreign nations. These discussions will highlight issues with the ICC and encourage other countries to withdraw. * Requests for nations that collaborate with U.S. law enforcement and military, or receive U.S. security assistance, to reject the ICC's asserted authority over American officials and service members. * Increased review of countries that do not reject the ICC's authority while receiving U.S. assistance. * Diplomatic outreach to other nations not party to the Rome Statute, encouraging them to undertake similar actions. * Revocation of visas and implementation of travel bans for ICC personnel. * Imposition of additional sanctions against the ICC and associated organizations.

Secretary Rubio also released a video message regarding this initiative on the Department of State’s YouTube channel.