The Trump administration is expected to announce Monday that it opposes the International Criminal Court’s planned investigation into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
President Trump’s national security adviser John Bolton will announce the administration’s opposition to the investigation during remarks to the Federalist Society on Monday afternoon, according to Reuters. Bolton will reportedly label the ICC an “illegitimate court” and threaten sanctions against the entity if it proceeds with the probe.
“We will not cooperate with the ICC. For all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us,” the former George W. Bush administration official will say, according to prepared remarks.
The president and his advisers are said to be weighing several punitive measures in the event the ICC probe is launched, including a travel ban on prosecutors and judges on the Hague-based court. The administration is also exploring potential bilateral agreements that would prevent U.S. allies from turning Americans over to the ICC.
Bolton is also expected to announce the closure of the Palestine Liberation Office in Washington during his speech Monday, citing concerns about the group’s efforts to push for an ICC investigation of Israel.
“The United States will always stand with our friend and ally, Israel,” Bolton will say, according to draft remarks.
The move comes less than a week after Trump cut $25 million in aide for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, ordering that it be directed elsewhere in response to a review by the State Department.
