Senate Democrats blocked an attempt by Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress to hold the International Criminal Court accountable. It's the latest sign of a party that refuses to hold antisemitic forces in global power to account. The ICC should not be taken seriously in American politics, and the U.S. must prevent that ilk from spreading.

The final vote was 54-45, with every Democrat but Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voting against the measure. Last year, the House passed the same measure, with 42 Democrats joining, but Chuck Schumer ignored the bill's existence. The House pushed the issue in the new Congress, with 45 Democrats joining.

This time, Schumer killed the bill, claiming it has problems. Democrats argue that the bill might bring in support staff for BigTech companies that are helping the ICC, but no one can point to any proof of that.

Fetterman responded, "Deeply disappointed by the outcome of the ICC sanctions bill. My vote follows Israel—not the ICC that equivocated the democratically elected leader of our special ally to the terrorists and rapists of Hamas."

Senator Tom Cotton blasted Democrats for backing away. As the bill's lead sponsor, he said, "Democrats voted against protecting American troops from a corrupt kangaroo court. They had 10 months to negotiate this bill, but instead waited until the last minute to demand unworkable changes that would give carve outs to big tech. Make no mistake — Democrats weakened our national sovereignty and Israel's ability to defend itself today."

For Cotton and other Republicans, beyond Israel, the big issue with the ICC is that it wants to exercise control over the United States, too. The ICC would love nothing more than to start issuing charges against U.S. troops and officials. The Democratic demand to exempt BigTech from the bill would allow the ICC to attempt to build cases against U.S. troops.

This is, naturally, a nonstarter for anyone with a brain. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies fellow Orde Kittrie noted in 2024:

The ICC has an open investigation of alleged U.S. war crimes relating to Afghanistan, which the court placed on the back burner in 2021. The Military Coalition, representing more than 5.5 million current and former U.S. service members, has warned that the Afghanistan investigation "could lead to the arrest, prosecution, and detention of American military personnel and veterans in foreign countries." If the ICC issues arrest warrants for Israelis, Americans would likely follow.

Tom Cotton is right to spike the excuses being proffered by Democrats. Chuck Schumer wanted the bill dead, so he caved to the anti-Israel left flank of his party and killed the bill.

The mere thought that an international organization as vile and antisemitic as the ICC believes it can go around accusing U.S. troops is beyond the pale. The United States has a process for bad soldier behavior, and we don't need the ICC, which is after Jewish leadership during the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, to lecture anyone on morality.

Schumer and Democrats killed the bill for the same reason they've refused to touch the anti-Israel left. It doesn't matter how much the Squad finds itself in antisemitic quagmires or how often the poison of the antisemitic Ivy League protestors comes up; Schumer and Democrats run out to save them.

The lone exception is John Fetterman, whose strength in this area is commendable. He sees the evil that Hamas and Iran represent and the antisemitic forces rising up in Europe. He takes a clear-eyed approach to things.

The only thing Chuck Schumer can offer up these days is excuses. Meanwhile, the ICC attacks Israel and Jews and sees that as a stepping stone to going after American citizens. At a time when America needs leadership in Congress to address a real threat, we're getting waffling and excuses.

From here, the Trump administration is likely to institute executive orders to target the ICC. Trump has taken similar actions against the WHO and other international organizations that have no reason to accept U.S. taxpayer money.

According to reports, "Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) voted against the bill despite having voted for the same legislation in the House last year. And Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) opposed it despite saying she supported sanctioning the ICC."

The sad truth of the matter is that Chuck Schumer is protecting the ICC and its anti-Israel filth. When Democrats who support the bill start changing their tune when entering the Senate, it's a sign of poor leadership in the Senate.

The Democratic Party should learn from John Fetterman. Grow a backbone, stand up to the antisemites on the far left, and protect Israel and American troops. This is not a time for weak-kneed Senators. Follow the path of Fetterman and Cotton.