Trump prepares broad sanctions on the International Criminal Court
Administration officials say measures could cut the ICC off from dollars and global finance; timing may coincide with the UN General Assembly.
The Trump administration is preparing a package of broader sanctions aimed at the International Criminal Court (ICC) that could severely hamper the court’s funding and operations, senior U.S. officials say.
According to documents reviewed by U.S. officials, the measures would bar most transactions with the ICC after a transition window of six to seven months, potentially cutting the court off from U.S. dollars and much of the global financial system.
Timing and scope
It is not yet clear when a final decision will be announced, but some U.S. representatives expect the move to be made during or immediately after the United Nations General Assembly. The new sanctions would be broader than earlier U.S. steps because they would target the institution’s ability to operate rather than focusing solely on individuals.
The United States has already imposed sanctions on a number of ICC officials, including the court’s president Tomoko Akane, several judges, deputy prosecutors and the prosecutor handling the case against Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. The contemplated measures would reach beyond those individual designations.
U.S. political rhetoric has hardened since the ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Gaza war. The ICC also sought arrest warrants for Hamas leaders over the 7 October 2023 attacks; those leaders have since been killed.
Senator Marco Rubio said in July that Washington is prepared to dismantle the ICC "brick by brick" if necessary, arguing that the court threatens U.S. sovereignty by pursuing cases against nationals of states that are not members. The United States and Israel are not parties to the ICC.
European capitals and Japan have said they will try to shield the court from U.S. pressure. One option under discussion is for the European Union to ask its banks to continue working with the ICC, although it remains unclear how such measures would be implemented in practice.
Photo: press material from the event
