Hillbilly wisdom: reasons for war are sometimes hidden. Secretary of State Rubio explained that the enforcement of international law by the ICC (International Criminal Court) is an illegitimate attempt against American sovereignty. *The ICC currently has no active charges, no arrest warrants, or no pending charges against any citizen of the United States but the enforceable international laws are an illegitimate attempt against American sovereignty. The reasons why are not clear.

The ICC is the only permanent tribunal for crimes of (a) genocide, (b)war crimes, (c)crimes against humanity, and (d) wars of aggression. Over half of the countries in the world are members of the ICC. *Notable exceptions are the United States, Russia, and Israel.

In December President Trump demanded the ICC amend its founding treaty to guarantee blanket immunity for top United States officials and threatened economic and visa sanctions if they failed to comply. This would be immunity for violations against international law in areas of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and wars of aggression.

A government by the people where the majority rules is a Democracy. The United States has fought military actions in the name of democracy for the people’s right to choose their path. That laws established by the majority of international sovereign nations are an attempt against American sovereignty presents a paradox. How can the United States support democracy on one hand and ask for immunity against the laws established by the majority on the other hand?

The United States promotes democracy around the world but fails to recognize the legitimacy of the ICC established by a majority of nations. It is understandable why President Trump sought immunity. But don’t use spread of democracy as a reason for waging war on sovereign nations when your actions are equivalent to a war against the very tenets of democracy.