Donald Trump Vows to Protect Benjamin Netanyahu from ICC Arrest

President Donald Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested while in the United States, dismissing the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrant as an illegitimate action against a close ally. In support of this position, Trump sanctioned ICC officials and froze the assets of Prosecutor Karim Khan.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani retracted a campaign promise to arrest Netanyahu should he visit the city. After reviewing all available legal avenues, Mamdani concluded that his administration lacks the independent legal authority to enforce the ICC warrant. Despite this, he characterized Netanyahu as a war criminal and called on the federal government to join the ICC and execute the arrest, while encouraging citizens to protest if Netanyahu visits in September.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the ICC's legitimacy, warning that the court's actions could expose U.S. officials to foreign prosecution. The Prime Minister's Office of Israel dismissed the ICC as a kangaroo court and claimed the warrant was a diversion by a disgraced prosecutor. Israel's UN Permanent Representative, Danny Danon, characterized Mamdani's threats as a joke, suggesting the mayor should instead focus on New York City's sanitation and security issues.

U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib supported the push for an arrest, questioning if a citizen's arrest might be applicable and offering her assistance.