Statement by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sanctioning ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda

"I want to start today talking about multilateralism. The Trump administration wants multilateral institutions to function, to actually work. But multilateralism just for the sake of it, just to get together in a room and chat, doesn't add value.

That brings me to the International Criminal Court, a thoroughly broken and corrupted institution. The United States has never ratified the Rome Statute that created the court, and we will not tolerate its illegitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction.

In June, the Trump administration authorized the imposition of economic sanctions against foreign persons directly engaged in ICC efforts to investigate U.S. or allied personnel, and those who materially assisted in those – in that effort.

Today we take the next step, because the ICC continues to target Americans, sadly.

Pursuant to Executive Order 13928, the United States will designate ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, and the ICC's Head of Jurisdiction, Complementarity, and Cooperation Division Phakiso Mochochoko for having materially assisted Prosecutor Bensouda.

Individuals and entities that continue to materially support those individuals risk exposure to sanctions as well.

Additionally, the State Department has restricted the issuance of visas for certain individuals involved in the ICC's efforts to investigate U.S. personnel..."