UNITED NATIONS — US President Donald Trump has called on all countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing the tribunal as an “out-of-control” and “rogue” institution that is hostile to the United States.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said the United States had no respect for the court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands.
“The International Criminal Court is out of control and a criminal organisation. The United States has no respect for it,” Trump said.
“We will never allow US officials or anyone else to be investigated or prosecuted by this court. This anti-American court has no jurisdiction in the United States,” he added.
Trump urged other countries to leave the ICC, saying: “You should get out of this rogue court right now.”
The United States has opposed the ICC’s actions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for whom the court issued an arrest warrant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the Gaza conflict. The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged responsibility for the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia.
Trump highlights Iran as a major threat
Trump also focused heavily on Iran and other conflicts in his address, saying that the United States had acted decisively where other world leaders had only spoken about peace.
“Where others have only talked, I have acted. Where others have talked about peace, I have made peace. Where others have ignored threats, I have confronted them,” Trump said.
He described Iran as the most serious threat at present, saying the country had been “growing” in a way that endangered the world.
Trump said he would not allow Iran to continue on that path and reiterated that he would not allow Tehran to become a nuclear power.
The president’s remarks came during a wide-ranging address in which he also discussed conflicts involving Iran and other international security issues.
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