For months now, the US has been making its opinion of the International Criminal Court in The Hague very well known. In a speech, Prime Minister Jetten has made something else known: “Hands off the ICC.”
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, just one day after Trump referred to the ICC as a “rogue organisation” and “a malicious group of people,” Jetten discreetly fought back.
While he didn’t mention the orange thing or the US by name, it was pretty clear who Jetten was addressing when he said “How can you be against prosecuting the very worst crimes?”
Hoe kun je tegen het berechten van de allerergste misdrijven zijn? Handen af van het ICC en alle andere instituties die de internationale rechtsorde beschermen. pic.twitter.com/4YxdSIU6aD
— Rob Jetten (@MinPres) September 25, 2026
Of course, we all know the answer to that question: when you’re the one committing the crimes, you’re pretty reluctant to get penalised for it.
And of course, the Americans had something to say
However, one things for certain in this day and age: if an American politician feels slighted, you can guarantee they’re going to take to social media.
In this case, US Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joe Popolo, took to X, writing that “To our Dutch allies I say, we are happy to keep our hands off the #ICC… if it keeps its hands off the United States.”
I have a tremendous amount of respect for @MinPres Prime Minister Jetten. To our Dutch allies I say, we are happy to keep our hands off the #ICC… if it keeps its hands off the United States. Our objections to the Court are bipartisan. Presidents of both parties have declined to… https://t.co/eb8edmCEC8
— U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands (@usambnl) September 26, 2026
Also claiming that “Our troops, tens of thousands of which are guarding Europe as part of an 80+ year security commitment, and the rest of our citizens, should not be subject to a politicised Court.”
Apparently, whether or not someone should be prosecuted for their war crimes is now simply a matter of political opinion.
A number of things to answer for
The reason why the US is coming for the ICC is pretty clear: they’re in a lot of trouble.
According to NOS, not only has the ICC launched an investigation into the American soldiers and CIA personnel in Afghanistan.
But the court has also issued arrest warrants for some of Trump’s buddies: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Gallant. Does it matter that they’re responsible for a genocide? Nope, not to Trump at least.
READ MORE | Trump imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court: “Existence of the court is at stake”
In recent months, US Secretary of State Rubio took to the Wall Street Journal to explain why the US wants to dismantle the ICC “brick by brick.”
Jetten’s message has clearly been received, but whether it will have any impact on the US’ plans to become the world’s antagonistic force, is another question.
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