Rubio tells Federalist Society the ICC risks a forceful US response if it enforces its rulings

Right · 2US Secretary of State Marco Rubio used a keynote speech to the Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention in Washington on Friday 13 November 2026 to attack the International Criminal Court (ICC). 1 2 Right · 1According to excerpts AFP saw in advance, he called the court "accountable to none" although "armed with the power to investigate, prosecute and jail our citizens according to laws we neither consent to nor control." 1 Right · 2He said that if the court was "foolish enough to try to enforce their paper decrees," the US answer would be the one the Roman general Pompey gave: "Stop quoting laws to men with swords." Reuters read this as a suggestion that Washington would respond with force if the court tried to enforce its rulings against Americans. 1 2

Right · 1Reuters also quoted him saying the US would not "submit to the sterile vision of radical judges or soulless global bureaucrats." He said the court and its allies "have appointed themselves judge and jury and executioner of the international order," and repeated his assertion that the court would try to prosecute US officials or service members. 2 Right · 2The speech came about a month after the US announced new sanctions on the ICC, which Washington said would cripple the court's operations. The sanctions take effect in about six months (April), unless the court's supporters reach an agreement with the US to avert them, and allies have urged that the time be used for negotiation. 1 2 Right · 2Rubio had earlier said Washington would bar transactions with what he called a "rogue court." Washington has said it would dismantle the court "brick by brick," angered by arrest warrants for Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged crimes in Gaza. It has also objected to an ICC investigation into the actions of US soldiers in Afghanistan, which the ICC says is "deprioritized." 1 2

Right · 2European nations and the United Nations have led opposition to the US sanctions, while Israel welcomed the decision. The ICC has strong backing from most member states, including all EU countries and all NATO members except the US and Turkey. 1 2 Right · 1The US signed the Rome Statute but never ratified it; Israel, Russia and China are also not ICC members. 1 Right · 2It was Rubio's first major speech since Republicans' heavy losses in the 3 November midterm elections, which fuelled speculation about a 2028 presidential run. He has firmly denied reports that he will leave the administration to campaign. 2 1

Right · 1Reuters said the speech argued for a muscular foreign policy and against international law restraining US actions. Rubio also said the aim of the US-Israeli war against Iran was to stop Tehran ever developing a nuclear weapon, and he contrasted Iran's "expansionist mentality" with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, whom he called "not expansionist." He has dismissed criticism that the administration broke international law by seizing Venezuela's then-president Nicolas Maduro and striking suspected drug boats. 2