Rubio warns ICC not to quote laws to men with swords

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a sharp critique of the International Criminal Court on Friday, accusing the organization of weaponizing international law for the benefit of a global elite. Speaking at the Federalist Society National Lawyers Convention, Rubio cautioned the Hague-based tribunal against attempting to enforce rules that Washington does not fully recognize. He famously warned that the court should stop quoting laws to men with swords, a reference to a historical statement by Roman general Pompey.

The remarks come approximately one month after the United States announced new sanctions aimed at crippling the ICC's operations. The US has intensified its long-standing campaign against the court, which serves as a last resort for prosecuting individuals accused of grave atrocities when national legal systems are inadequate. Although the United States signed the Rome Statute that established the ICC, it never ratified the treaty. Other major powers, including Israel, Russia, and China, are also not members of the court.

Rubio's address marked his first major speech on foreign policy since the Republican Party suffered sweeping losses in the midterm elections earlier this month. He received a standing ovation from the audience of legal professionals. During the keynote, he argued that international law had been invoked against nearly every major foreign policy decision made by the Trump administration. These decisions range from naval strikes in the Caribbean to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

The Secretary of State charged that such legal frameworks are not neutral but have instead become an instrument for the global elite to advance their own interests. He noted that Washington has previously stated it would bar transactions with what he termed a rogue court. This stance reflects the broader frustration within the US government regarding the court's actions, particularly after judges issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.

Washington's anger is also fueled by a past investigation into the actions of US soldiers in Afghanistan. Rubio renewed his criticism on Friday by describing the ICC as an entity accountable to no one, yet armed with the power to investigate, prosecute, persecute, and jail American citizens. He emphasized that these powers are exercised according to laws that the US neither consents to nor controls.

If the court attempts to enforce its paper decrees on Americans, Rubio suggested that the US response would likely mirror the historical reaction of Pompey to those invoking city charters against his legions. The choice of venue for these remarks has fueled speculation that Rubio may be looking beyond his current foreign policy portfolio. Past presidential hopefuls have also addressed this specific conference, and Rubio is widely viewed as a possible successor to President Donald Trump, despite his dismissal of reports that he is preparing to leave the administration for a 2028 election run.