The Trump administration has launched a new campaign to challenge the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing the court as a threat to US sovereignty and seeking to limit its global influence.
A senior State Department official said Washington is considering a range of measures against the ICC. These include travel bans, visa restrictions, expanded sanctions on court officials and affiliated groups, and diplomatic pressure on other countries to distance themselves from the institution, according to Reuters.
President Donald Trump and several US leaders have long argued that the ICC should not have the power to investigate or prosecute American citizens, especially military personnel. The United States has never joined the court, which was established in 2002 to handle cases involving war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity when national courts fail to act.
Tensions between Washington and the ICC have deepened in recent years. During Trump’s first term, his administration imposed sanctions on ICC officials. The issue resurfaced after the court issued an arrest warrant in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close US ally.
Last month, three ICC judges filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that earlier sanctions imposed on them were unlawful.
According to the State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials are now urging allied nations to reject the ICC’s authority over US citizens. Countries that rely on US military support or security partnerships are being asked to align with Washington’s position.
The ICC has previously examined alleged war crimes involving US troops in Afghanistan, though it later shifted its focus to other actors. Still, US officials remain wary of future investigations.
The administration says it will closely watch how countries respond, signaling that those who do not support its stance could face increased scrutiny.
