U.S. President Joe Biden gave his reaction about the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants against Putin, saying although the United States itself does not recognize the ICC, he agreed with its claims that Putin has committed war crimes in Ukraine.
Biden was asked by reporters about the ICC issue in a White House press conference on Friday, to this, he replied, and quote:
“Well, I think it’s justified…but the question is, it’s not recognized internationally by us, either. But I think it makes a very strong point.”
In another response, Biden said that Putin really committed war crimes and that the accusations about Chinese payments to his family members were not true, and that the banking crisis in the U.S has indeed calmed down.
It can be noted that in 2002, the U.S Congress itself adopted a law prohibiting any Americans from cooperating with the International Criminal Court.
The law also prohibits extradition of U.S citizens for trial in the ICC.
This law is called the “American Service Members Protection Act” signed by then-President George Bush.
“American Service Members Protection Act” -According to the human rights watch this law authorizes the use of military force to liberate any American or citizen of a U.S.-allied country being held by the court. , at that time, America’s law caused a strong reaction from its allies, particularly, The Netherlands.
What does this mean? It means that this law allows the U.S president to order military action, such as the invasion of The Hague in The Netherlands, where the ICC is located, this is why it was also dubbed as “The Hague Invasion Act”.
The president is authorized to use all means necessary and appropriate to bring about the release of any person described in subsection (b) who is being detained or imprisoned by, on behalf of, or at the request of the International Criminal Court.
