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'Endangers Core American Interests': Ted Cruz Questions Ambassador Noms About Other Nations' ICC Support
Forbes Breaking News
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5/5/2025
At Thursday's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) questioned ambassador nominees about other nations' support for the ICC.
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00:00
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome, congratulations to each of the four of you.
00:07
Mr. Kushner, let's start with you. Iran's push to build a nuclear arsenal poses the most
00:13
immediate threat to U.S. national security. I agree with President Trump that the only
00:18
acceptable nuclear deal is one in which the regime fully dismantles its enrichment capacity,
00:25
and that the United States should impose maximum pressure against the full range of the Ayatollah's
00:31
malign activities. That pressure should include snapping back U.N. sanctions against Iran,
00:38
which were undone by the Obama-Biden administrations in U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231.
00:45
I asked Secretary of State Rubio whether he intends to go to the United Nations and do so
00:51
as part of his written testimony to this committee. Here was his response, quote,
00:56
I believe it is in our national security interest for the U.N. Security Council to snap back the
01:00
sanctions that were suspended under the JCPOA. I will execute the President's guidance and work
01:07
with our allies to ensure that snapback takes place. I asked the same question to Deputy Secretary Landau
01:14
in his testimony, and he emphasized that he believes it is imperative for the national security of the
01:20
United States to invoke the snapback mechanism. Our European allies, including France, are also able
01:27
to invoke the snapback mechanism. First, do you agree with the assessment of Secretary Rubio and Deputy
01:36
Secretary Landau that it is in the national security interest of the United States to snap back the U.N.
01:41
sanctions? I 100 percent agree with the Secretary of State and with Chris Landau. And why this snapback
01:52
has not occurred to date is beyond my belief, truthfully. So part of my responsibility, I feel,
02:02
will be to assist to apply maximum pressure on the French at the highest levels that I can to go ahead
02:09
and make sure that this snapback is effectuated. Very good. Thank you. Mr. Propolo and Mr. Walsh,
02:19
as you know, the International Criminal Court has been engaged in a campaign against our Israeli allies,
02:24
which in turn poses an acute threat to American national security interest. The ICC has issued arrest
02:31
warrants against Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to punish Israel for
02:37
its campaign against Hamas. These warrants are utterly illegitimate. They are setting a precedent to go
02:44
after countries that are not members of the Court, which exposes American officials and soldiers to acute risks.
02:53
Ireland has filed a motion to directly boost the ICC campaign. The Netherlands hosts the ICC, and its
03:01
foreign minister has said that they will enforce the ICC warrants. We've heard multiple times today that
03:08
Ireland and the Netherlands have deep partnerships with the U.S., which is undoubtedly true. It is equally
03:16
true that their support for the ICC endangers core American interests. If confirmed, how do each of you intend to
03:26
approach these issues? And we'll start with you, Mr. Walsh. There is a lot to talk about there,
03:36
and I have not been fully briefed on that item. I know that it's a big issue though, and I know it's
03:42
a big concern of yours and many others. Even President Trump has let me know that. What we need to do about
03:49
it is to communicate the way we feel about it, and then relay that message back to you guys and figure
03:55
out a way to really hold them reliable to actually helping us. And we're an ally of Israel, so it's a
04:06
difficult conversation, to tell you the truth. And I'd be glad to relay your message and President
04:12
Trump's message over to them at any time. Well, that's helpful, and I will say it is a clear assault
04:19
on Israel, but Israel is not a party to the ICC. But it is also a clear assault on America, because
04:24
America is not a party to the ICC. And the same illegitimate authority that claims the ability to
04:30
issue an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu would also claim the ability to issue an arrest warrant
04:36
for President Trump, for the Secretary of State, for the Secretary of Defense, for American generals,
04:41
for American soldiers. We're not a party to the court. The court has no jurisdiction, and it is
04:45
illegitimately asserting power over nations that have not acceded to its authority. Mr. Popolo, your
04:51
thoughts. Thank you, Senator. President Trump and Secretary Rubio have been very clear this is totally
04:58
unacceptable. And while the Dutch are great partners, we have a very, very clear difference here.
05:03
I am going to be delivering the mission that the message that this is illegitimate, that they should
05:08
not be targeting people who are not a party to the agreement. I believe we have partial sanctions
05:12
in place, and the President may very well choose to increase that pressure if we don't get the proper
05:17
recognition from the ICC. Very good. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Cruz.
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