US Ambassador Blasts Jetten: ICC Must Keep Hands Off US

The diplomatic clash between The Hague and Washington sharpened on Friday as U.S. Ambassador Joe Popolo told Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten that the International Criminal Court (ICC) must keep its hands off the United States. Popolo's rebuke on X came one day after Jetten used his debut address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to declare “Hands off the ICC”, drawing applause from world leaders.

Jetten's UN warning and Popolo's sharp reply

Speaking in New York on Thursday, Jetten did not name President Donald Trump or the U.S. directly, but his message was unmistakable. The Dutch prime minister argued that the court, based in The Hague, must be protected. “How can you be against prosecuting the very worst crimes?” he asked. A day earlier, Trump had called the ICC a “rogue institution” and “a malignant group of people.”

Popolo responded on X with a message that began by saying he has “enormous respect” for Jetten. But he made the American position clear: the United States is willing to keep its hands off the ICC “as long as the court keeps its hands off the US.” Popolo described the tribunal as a “politicized institution” and said American troops who have helped guard Europe for more than 80 years must not be subjected to it. The US-ICC sanctions dispute has become one of the sharpest transatlantic fault lines of 2026.

Why the U.S. wants the ICC dismantled 'brick by brick'

Washington's hostility toward the ICC is not new, but it has escalated sharply under Trump. In February 2025, the president signed an executive order imposing financial sanctions and visa restrictions on ICC officials involved in investigations touching Americans. By August 2026, the U.S. had sanctioned 13 court staff members, including ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, according to Human Rights Watch.

Arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

A central trigger is the ICC's issuance on 21 November 2024 of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war. All 125 ICC member states are obliged to arrest the two men if they enter their territory. Neither the United States nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute that created the court.

Afghanistan investigation and American troops

Washington is also angry about the ICC's investigation into actions by U.S. military personnel and CIA officers in Afghanistan. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that the U.S. will dismantle the court “brick by brick” if necessary. The ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and the Afghanistan probe are the two investigations that most directly threaten Washington's interests.

What the ICC clash means for U.S.-Netherlands relations

The Netherlands hosts the ICC in The Hague, giving the dispute a unique bilateral edge. Jetten has said the Dutch government is using all diplomatic resources to protect the court, arguing that impunity is unacceptable. Popolo, a businessman and longtime Republican donor confirmed as ambassador in October 2025, has made trade, security and NATO defense spending his stated priorities. The row therefore risks complicating cooperation on issues ranging from ASML export controls to European security. Experts in international criminal justice warn that sustained U.S. pressure could weaken the court's ability to function and embolden other states to ignore its rulings.

Frequently asked questions

What did Rob Jetten say about the ICC?

At the UN General Assembly on 24 September 2026, Dutch PM Rob Jetten said “Hands off the ICC” and defended the court as essential for prosecuting the world's worst crimes. He did not name the U.S. directly.

How did the U.S. ambassador respond?

Ambassador Joe Popolo said the U.S. will keep its hands off the ICC “as long as the court keeps its hands off the US,” calling the tribunal politicized and emphasizing that American troops guarding Europe should not be subject to it.

Why does the U.S. oppose the ICC?

The U.S. objects to ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and to the court's investigation of U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Washington is not an ICC member and has imposed sanctions on court officials.

How many ICC officials has the U.S. sanctioned?

As of August 2026, the U.S. had sanctioned 13 ICC staff members, including President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, under a February 2025 executive order.