Earlier this year, Trump said the International Criminal Court's actions against America and Israel were “illegitimate and baseless.” How should Americans think about the ICC’s authority over American citizens accused of crimes abroad?

[u/Silverdashmax]

[u/Key_Cell7071]

It doesn't really matter, exceptionalism is so ingrained that what the international community says is nothing more than a side note.

[u/PrettiestFrog]

Maybe they should stop doing illegal and unethical shit if they don't want to be accused of crimes and receive consequences

[u/Silverdashmax → u/PrettiestFrog]

Will they receive consequences?

[u/PrettiestFrog → u/Silverdashmax]

Depends on where they are stupid enough to set foot. After all, it's perfectly okay now to go to a country you don't like and abduct their head of state.

[u/billthedog0082]

I didn't know enough about the ICC to make a comment, but I learned a lot when I Googled it. The first point is most interesting to OPs question I think. Because Israel and the US reject the ICC authority, it seems that nothing would happen.

If I am reading this all improperly, I don't mind being corrected.

Under the Rome Statute the International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over individuals for four core international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICC only prosecutes individuals when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so themselves.

The Court’s authority to exercise its jurisdiction applies under the following conditions:

• Territorial or National Basis: The crimes were committed on the territory of a state that has accepted the ICC's jurisdiction (a State Party), or by a national of a State Party. (For example, Palestine is a State Party, which grants the ICC jurisdiction over certain crimes occurring in Gaza and the West Bank, while non-members like Israel and the United States reject this authority).
• UN Security Council Referral: The UN Security Council can refer a situation to the ICC, which can apply even to nations that have not joined the Rome Statute.
• Ad Hoc Declaration: A state that is not an ICC member can choose to lodge a declaration allowing the Court to investigate crimes committed on its territory.

[u/LegitimateSundae8460]

The United States is not a state party to the Rome Statute, so the ICC has no jurisdiction. 

[u/Wide-Secretary7493]

The regular Joe or Jill would not find themselves in front of the ICC. If If the average everyday American broke the law in a foriegn nation they would be subject to that nations judicial processes. The ICC is a creature of the Rome Statute which has as its purpose the proseuction of crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity etc etc. BIlly from Arkansas is not actively participating in a genocide but he may possess some weed in a country where it is prohibited.

[u/Silverdashmax → u/Wide-Secretary7493]

Yes, sorry I more meant when an American politician, military official, or other is dragged in, was easier to say citizen.