Trump administration prepares broader sanctions against International Criminal Court

Saturday 03 - 10:15

By: Azzat Manal

Trump administration prepares broader sanctions against International Criminal Court

The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing broader sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), raising concerns about the potential impact on the institution’s finances and day-to-day operations.

According to people familiar with the plans cited by Reuters, Washington has prepared measures targeting the ICC as an organization, although the timing and final scope of the sanctions remained unclear as of early October. The United States has previously imposed sanctions on individual ICC judges, prosecutors and other officials, but had not previously targeted the court itself.

The potential measures could affect companies and other organizations that provide services to the court. ICC officials have warned that restrictions involving financial transactions, technology services, insurance and other suppliers could create significant operational difficulties.

The concerns have already had practical consequences. The ICC ended its contract with French insurer AXA on October 1 and moved to another health insurance provider. Reuters reported that the decision followed discussions over the risks associated with possible US sanctions and the difficulties of finding a legal arrangement that would protect the insurer from their potential effects.

The United States has progressively expanded its sanctions campaign against ICC personnel since 2025. The measures have targeted judges, prosecutors and other officials, including ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior personnel at the Office of the Prosecutor. In August 2026, the ICC said that nine of its 18 judges, both deputy prosecutors, its former prosecutor and one staff member had been sanctioned by Washington.

The Trump administration has argued that the ICC has exceeded its authority by asserting jurisdiction over nationals of countries that are not parties to the Rome Statute, including the United States and Israel. Trump has also publicly criticized the court and called on its member states to withdraw.

The ICC, for its part, has rejected the US measures and said sanctions against its personnel threaten the independence of an international judicial institution. The court says it will continue its work under the Rome Statute and maintain its judicial activities despite the pressure.

The possible expansion of sanctions has also prompted concern among several European governments and supporters of the court, who are examining ways to protect the ICC and organizations working with it from the potential effects of US restrictions. The dispute adds another layer of pressure on the Hague-based institution as it continues investigations and proceedings involving alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.