{"id":2622965,"date":"2026-07-02T17:39:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T21:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blanche-pens-letter-to-icc-rejecting-courts-jurisdiction-over-us-citizens\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T17:39:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T21:39:41","slug":"blanche-pens-letter-to-icc-rejecting-courts-jurisdiction-over-us-citizens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blanche-pens-letter-to-icc-rejecting-courts-jurisdiction-over-us-citizens\/","title":{"rendered":"Blanche pens letter to ICC rejecting court&#8217;s jurisdiction over US citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fblanche-pens-letter-to-icc-rejecting-courts-jurisdiction-over-us-citizens%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2622965&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>acting Attorney General Todd Blanche sent a letter to the International Criminal court (ICC) asserting that the United States &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-threatens-influential-russians-with-sanctions-after-putin-annexes-more-ukrainian-territory\/\" title=\"Biden Threatens Influential Russians With ... After Putin Annexes More Ukrainian Territory\">unequivocally rejects<\/a>&#8221; any assertion of jurisdiction over U.S. citizens and stating that the justice Department will not cooperate with ICC investigations involving Americans. Blanche criticized the ICC for operating in a &#8220;lawless and illegitimate manner,&#8221; citing concerns about its impartiality and internal misconduct. The letter references the 2002 American Servicemembers\u2019 Protection Act, which bars cooperation with the ICC regarding U.S. personnel and authorizes the president to seek the release of Americans detained under ICC warrants. Blanche emphasized that the U.S. opposes ICC actions against the U.S., Israel, and other allies that have not consented to its jurisdiction, and stated that the Justice Department will oppose any efforts to extradite Americans. historically, U.S. relations with the ICC have fluctuated, with periods of cooperation and opposition depending on the administration. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/houthis-bomb-civilian-airport-days-after-biden-removes-terrorist-designation\/\" title=\"Houthis Bomb Civilian Airport Days After Biden Removes Terrorist Designation\">biden administration lifted<\/a> some sanctions imposed during Trump&#8217;s tenure but continues to oppose certain ICC investigations,especially those targeting Israel. Trump previously revoked visas and imposed sanctions on ICC officials after investigations into U.S.and Israeli actions, while Biden reversed some of these measures, even though disagreements remain. The ICC prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression but the U.S. has not joined the court, citing concerns over jurisdiction and sovereignty.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acting Attorney General<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/todd-blanche\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"20883\"> Todd Blanche<\/a> sent a letter Thursday to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/international-criminal-court\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4389\">International Criminal Court<\/a> President Tomoko Akane declaring that the United States \u201cunequivocally rejects\u201d any attempt by the court to assert jurisdiction over U.S. citizens and vowed the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"167\">Justice Department<\/a> would not cooperate with ICC investigations involving Americans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe United States Department of Justice unequivocally rejects any assertion of jurisdiction by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over U.S. persons,\u201d Blanche <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/ag\/media\/1450826\/dl?inline\">wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4633773\/judge-block-trump-usps-mail-ballot\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge blocks Trump\u2019s USPS mail-in ballot changes<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4632803\/doj-launches-lawsuit-california-glock-ban\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ launches lawsuit over California\u2019s Glock ban after warning<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4632580\/doj-charge-tren-de-aragua-kidnapping-murder\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ charges eight Tren de Aragua members with \u2018vicious\u2019 kidnappings and murders<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blanche accused the court of operating in an \u201cincreasingly lawless and illegitimate manner,\u201d arguing its \u201crecord of selective enforcement and credible allegations of internal misconduct raise serious doubts about the ICC\u2019s impartiality, credibility, and legitimacy.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The letter cites the 2002 American Servicemembers\u2019 Protection Act, which rejects ICC jurisdiction over U.S. service members, government officials, and civilians, prohibits most U.S. cooperation with the court, and authorizes the president to seek the release of any American detained under an ICC warrant.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blanche also echoed President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2018s position on the court, quoting the president\u2019s February executive order imposing sanctions on ICC officials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe United States unequivocally opposes and expects our allies to oppose any ICC actions against the United States, Israel, or any other ally of the United States that has not consented to ICC jurisdiction,\u201d the letter said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blanche said the Justice Department will not cooperate with any ICC investigation, inquiry, summons, or proceeding involving U.S. citizens and will oppose any effort by foreign governments to extradite or transfer Americans to the court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The U.S. has never joined the court, arguing it lacks jurisdiction over Americans absent U.S. consent. Other major powers, including <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"232\">China<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/russia\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"80\">Russia<\/a>, also remain outside the court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Washington\u2019s relationship with the ICC has shifted across administrations. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/george-w-bush\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"697\">George W. Bush<\/a> administration opposed the court but allowed the U.N. Security Council to refer atrocities in Darfur to the ICC in 2005. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/barack-obama\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"360\">Obama<\/a> administration backed the U.N. Security Council\u2019s 2011 referral of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/libya\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"357\">Libya<\/a> and cooperated with the court in several cases, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >including helping transfer suspects<\/a> to The Hague and offering rewards for information leading to arrests.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During Trump\u2019s first term, relations sharply deteriorated after then-ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda pursued investigations into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. forces in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/afghanistan\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"337\">Afghanistan<\/a> and alleged <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"219\">Israeli<\/a> crimes in the Palestinian territories. The administration revoked Bensouda\u2019s U.S. visa, ended cooperation with the court, and imposed sanctions on ICC officials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4627007\/trump-communism-biggest-threat-facing-america\/\">TRUMP SAYS COMMUNISM IS THE BIGGEST THREAT FACING AMERICA ON EVE OF 250TH BIRTHDAY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"471\">Biden<\/a> administration lifted those sanctions in 2021 and welcomed the ICC\u2019s indictment of Russian President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/vladimir-putin\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"79\">Vladimir Putin<\/a> over the war in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ukraine\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"82\">Ukraine<\/a>, while continuing to object to the court\u2019s investigation of Israel.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After returning to office, Trump reinstated sanctions against the ICC, calling its actions against the U.S. and Israel \u201cillegitimate and baseless.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>US rejects ICC jurisdiction over citizens, won&#8217;t cooperate<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2622966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26182596274948.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[25914,22006,4654,82117,34694],"class_list":["post-2622965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-blanche","tag-icc","tag-jurisdiction","tag-legal-letter","tag-us-citizens"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26182596274948.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2622965"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622965\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2622969,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2622965\/revisions\/2622969"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2622966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2622965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2622965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2622965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}