US sanctions entire ICC for first time in Trump escalation

On October 9, 2026, the Trump administration imposed comprehensive sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the first time. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measure, stating the United States would ban all transactions with the tribunal to cut off its resources and hinder its operations against America.

Rubio threatened that either the ICC would cease its aggressive actions, or the US would dismantle it. Previous sanctions targeted individual ICC officials for investigations involving American and Israeli officials. The US action aimed to convince allies of the court to address the threat to US sovereignty or face further American dismantling efforts.

The ICC strongly condemned the sanctions, calling them an attack on international justice and warning that history would judge this moment as an assault on the rule of law. The European Union expressed regret over the sanctions and pledged to take necessary measures to support the court. Major powers, including the US, Russia, China, India, and Israel, are not ICC members.

The UN Secretary-General also condemned the sanctions, warning of potential severe consequences for the court's ability to pursue justice. Human rights groups decried the move, stressing its potential impact on victims of atrocities globally.