President Trump championed national sovereignty and patriotism during a speech before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
“Sovereign and independent nations are the only vehicle where freedom has ever survived, democracy has ever endured, or peace has ever prospered. And so we must protect our sovereignty and our cherished independence above all,” the president declared before the world body.
He asserted that that the United States will not cede its sovereignty to the International Criminal Court.
“As far as America is concerned, the ICC has no jurisdiction, no legitimacy and no authority. The ICC claims near universal jurisdiction over the citizens of every country, violating all principles of justice, fairness and due process. We will never surrender America’s sovereignty to an unelected unaccountable global bureaucracy. America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism. And we embrace the doctrine of patriotism,” he stated.
Highlighting the “human tragedy” occurring in Venezuela, he sharply criticized socialism and communism.
“Virtually everywhere socialism or communism has been tried it has produced suffering, corruption and decay,” he said. “Socialism’s thirst for power leads to expansion, incursion and oppression. All nations of the world should resist socialism and the misery that it brings to everyone.”
He lambasted Iranian leadership, saying, “Iran’s leaders sow chaos, death and destruction. They do not respect their neighbors or borders or the sovereign rights of nations. Instead, Iran’s leaders plunder the nations resources to enrich themselves and to spread mayhem across the Middle East and far beyond.”
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) expressed her approval of the speech.
Vice President Pence praised the speech, tweeting: “Great speech by @POTUS Trump at the United Nations General Assembly today detailing how his America First foreign policy agenda is making America and the world safer, stronger, and more prosperous! Proud to be there! America First! #UNGA”
Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) said in a tweet, “America First should not be America Alone. Working with allies does not mean being subordinate to them. We are stronger together. #UNGA”