UNGA: Trump Calls for All Countries to Quit ICC

US President Donald Trump has called on all countries that are members of the International Criminal Court to withdraw from the institution, accusing it of acting beyond its authority.

Trump made the call on Tuesday during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he criticised the court’s activities and questioned its jurisdiction over the United States.

“The United States is equally opposed to the out-of-control institution known as the International Criminal Court,” Trump said.

He urged all ICC member states to “officially resign” from what he described as a “rogue institution.”

Trump said the United States would not allow its military personnel or other citizens to be investigated by what he characterised as an anti-American tribunal.

The US president has repeatedly criticised the ICC, particularly over its investigations involving Israel and the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The United States is not a member of the ICC and has not ratified the Rome Statute that established the court.

The ICC was established to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression when national legal systems are unable or unwilling to do so.

Trump’s latest remarks came amid renewed tensions between Washington and the court. His administration has previously imposed sanctions on ICC officials and criticised the institution’s investigations involving US personnel and allies.

The ICC maintains that it exercises jurisdiction according to the Rome Statute and has rejected accusations that its investigations are politically motivated.

Trump’s call also comes as the court faces broader geopolitical pressure over its investigations into conflicts and alleged international crimes.

During his UN address, the US president argued that international institutions should respect national sovereignty and said Washington would resist efforts to subject Americans to what he considers tribunals lacking jurisdiction over the United States.

His comments are expected to draw further reactions from ICC member states, particularly countries that support the court’s role in prosecuting serious international crimes.

The ICC currently has 125 member states, while several major powers, including the United States, Russia, China and Israel, are outside the court’s membership.

Trump’s remarks add to the growing debate over the authority, jurisdiction and role of the ICC in the international justice system.