End the Funding of NGO Programs that Undermine U.S. Sovereignty

The U.S. must stop indirectly empowering the International Criminal Court through USAID and State Department Grants

In recent years, there has been an alarming trend: U.S. taxpayers are funding non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and self-proclaimed “opposition” or “resistance” leaders who use international mechanisms to undermine U.S. sovereignty. Among these mechanisms is the International Criminal Court (ICC), an institution that, while ostensibly created to promote global justice, has often been a tool for political agendas at odds with American principles and interests.

The U.S. has long resisted membership in the ICC for a reason. Its structure lacks the checks and balances necessary to prevent politicization, and its jurisdiction is often exercised in ways that conflict with fundamental American values, such as due process and the presumption of innocence. Despite this, NGOs funded by U.S. grants have been known to engage with the ICC to advance their agendas. This misuses American taxpayer dollars and legitimizes a court that operates outside U.S. jurisdiction and often against U.S. allies.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, condemning the ICC for issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The bill, approved by a 243 to 140 vote, imposes sanctions on ICC officials and any foreign entities supporting the ICC’s efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute individuals from the U.S. and its allies, including Israel.

This legislative action reflects concerns that the ICC’s proceedings are politically motivated and may undermine the sovereignty of nations that do not recognize its jurisdiction, such as the U.S. and Israel. The House’s decision underscores its commitment to protecting allied leaders from what it perceives as international bodies' overreach. They should continue to ensure that no funding given to USAID, the state, or any other federal agency or grantee can be used for programs involving the ICC.