US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attacked the International Criminal Court in a speech to the Federalist Society in Washington on Friday, November 13, 2026. According to The Hindu, he argued for a muscular foreign policy and against international law restraining US actions.
According to the Straits Times, Rubio said the US would not "submit to the sterile vision of radical judges or soulless global bureaucrats." He also said Americans never agreed to the court’s authority.
Rubio repeated his assertion that the court would try to prosecute US officials or service members, according to the Straits Times. He used that claim to justify sanctions against the ICC announced in October. The sanctions are designed to stifle the court’s ability to operate, and they will take effect in April unless supporters of the court reach an agreement with the US to avert them.
The Hindu reported that Rubio suggested Washington would respond with force if the court tried to enforce its rulings against Americans. He quoted Pompey: "Stop quoting laws to men with swords." The Japan Times headline describes Rubio as labeling international law a tool of elites. That outlet’s item was available only as a headline and short excerpt, so its details could not be checked against a full article.
The speech was Rubio’s first prepared remarks since Republicans were routed in the November 3 midterm elections. It adds to speculation that he may run for president in 2028. He has firmly denied reports that he will soon launch a campaign.
The Trump administration has long been hostile to the court, which is based in the Netherlands and was founded in 2002. It has previously sanctioned the court’s prosecutors and judges, and Washington has denounced arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Most ICC member states, including all EU countries and all NATO members except the US and Turkey, have strongly backed the court.
The sources do not include a response from the ICC, the court’s supporters or the Trump administration to Rubio’s remarks. They also do not give the number or names of those covered by the October sanctions, or say what agreement, if any, supporters of the court are negotiating with Washington. Critics have alleged that the administration broke international law, including in the seizure of Maduro and the boat strikes. Rubio dismissed those criticisms, and the sources contain no independent findings on them.
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This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.