Trump Administration Prepares Broad Sanctions Against ICC

The administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing sweeping sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move that could significantly affect the court’s finances and daily operations.

According to Reuters and The Wall Street Journal, the proposed measures would restrict most financial transactions between US individuals or companies and the ICC after a six- to seven-month grace period. The sanctions could be announced soon, with a final decision potentially coming during or shortly after the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The measures would target the ICC as an institution, rather than only individual judges and prosecutors. US companies and citizens would generally be prohibited from providing the court with money, goods or services without approval from the US Treasury.

ICC officials have previously warned that broad sanctions could make it more difficult for the court to obtain information technology, insurance and investigative services, as well as carry out routine payments and salaries for some employees.

The ICC, established in 2002, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity when national authorities are unable or unwilling to investigate or prosecute such cases.

The United States is not a member of the ICC. The Trump administration has accused the court of exceeding its authority by investigating officials from countries that are not members.

Tensions between Washington and the ICC increased after the court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel and the United States reject the court’s jurisdiction.

The Trump administration has already imposed sanctions on more than a dozen ICC judges and prosecutors since February 2025, while additional sanctions were imposed on ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye in August.

The proposed institutional sanctions would represent a further escalation in the US campaign against the court.

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