Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Trump Administration Prepares Sanctions Against International Criminal Court
The United States is preparing possible penalties against the International Criminal Court, or ICC.
The ICC investigates serious crimes such as war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.
The proposed penalties could target the court and organizations that work with it.
Officials say the announcement might happen during the United Nations General Assembly, but the date is not certain.
The United States objects to arrest warrants involving Israeli leaders.
It also opposes an earlier ICC investigation into American troops in Afghanistan.
The penalties could make it harder for the court to use banks and buy technology or insurance.
They could also make hiring investigators and paying employees more difficult.
The ICC says these problems could interfere with its daily work.
The Trump administration has prepared sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court and entities that cooperate with it.
The measures could be announced during the United Nations General Assembly, although the timing remains uncertain.
Washington wants the ICC to withdraw arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and end its investigation into United States troops in Afghanistan.
Treasury sanctions could restrict Americans and US companies from providing the court with funds, goods or services without an OFAC license.
ICC officials warn the sanctions could disrupt banking, IT services, insurance, investigator hiring and payments to American employees.
- Who
- The Trump administration, led in this effort by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the International Criminal Court are the central parties.
- What
- The United States has prepared possible sanctions against the entire ICC and entities that cooperate with it.
- When
- The sanctions were reported on September 21, and an announcement could come as soon as the current United Nations General Assembly, though the timing is unclear.
- Where
- The measures would be imposed by the United States and could affect the ICC’s operations internationally.
- Why
- Washington wants the ICC to withdraw arrest warrants involving Israeli leaders and end its earlier investigation into United States troops in Afghanistan.
United States Administration
International Criminal Court and Supporters
Court investigations and warrants
United States Administration
Washington wants the ICC to drop arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and end its earlier investigation into United States troops in Afghanistan. Marco Rubio has described the court as a threat to US sovereignty and allies.
International Criminal Court and Supporters
The ICC says it prosecutes war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, and claims jurisdiction when a member state is unable or unwilling to prosecute alleged atrocities itself.
Purpose of sanctions
United States Administration
The administration presents sanctions and efforts to isolate the court as tools to challenge its actions and protect Israeli leaders and others from prosecution.
International Criminal Court and Supporters
ICC officials warn that organization-wide sanctions could undermine the court’s ability to perform routine functions, including buying services, hiring investigators and making payments.
International response
United States Administration
Washington has urged countries to withdraw support from the ICC and has already sanctioned several judges and prosecutors.
International Criminal Court and Supporters
ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane urged the European Union to consider legal measures that could protect European companies from complying with US sanctions, although support for such action remains uncertain.
- Target
- The International Criminal Court and potentially entities that cooperate with it
- Possible timing
- During the United Nations General Assembly; sources said the decision could be finalized as soon as that week, but no date was confirmed
- US authority
- The United States Department of the Treasury and its Office of Foreign Assets Control
- Potential restrictions
- US citizens and companies could be barred from providing funds, goods or services without an OFAC license
- Potential operational effects
- Disruption to IT services, insurance, investigator recruitment, banking and routine financial transactions
- Court workforce
- The ICC has roughly 900 employees from about 100 countries, according to Reuters
- ICC membership
- The court has 125 member states; the United States has never been a member
- Precedent
- The first Trump administration sanctioned individual ICC staff members in 2020
Sources
US Prepares Sanctions Against Entire International Criminal Court
Trump administration prepares sanctions against International Criminal Court: Report
Trump plans to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court, announce them soon