The United States has moved to impose financial sanctions on the International Criminal Court, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and the global tribunal. The Trump administration has repeatedly accused the court of politicization and of unfairly targeting Americans and close allies for war crime charges.
The announcement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio came just hours after a former ICC judge was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In a video statement posted online, Rubio declared that the United States would ban transactions with what he termed a rogue court to cut off its resources and hinder its operations.
Rubio asserted that the American people are not subject to the jurisdiction of the ICC, stating that the US neither needs nor wants the institution. He added that the court must end its threats or face measures from Washington designed to effectively end the organization.
In response, the international tribunal issued a strong statement condemning the move as an attempt to obstruct the course of justice. The court described the penalties as an assault on the rule of law and the international legal order, warning that history will judge the moment and urging member states to protect its mandate.
The Trump administration has previously expressed outrage over ICC actions, including the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as past investigations into the conduct of US military personnel in Afghanistan.
Established in 2002, the ICC serves as a permanent international tribunal intended to hold individuals accountable for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.