Trump Administration Imposes Unprecedented Sanctions on Entire International Criminal Court

Washington imposed more sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, targeting the entire tribunal for the first time as the Trump administration escalated its campaign against the Hague-based institution.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington will ban transactions with what he termed a rogue court, cutting off its resources and crippling its ability to operate against the United States. In a video posted on social media, Mr Rubio warned that either the ICC will end its threats, or Washington will end the ICC.

The measures are expected to restrict the ICC's capacity to utilize the US financial system following a transition period before most prohibited transactions become fully unlawful. Previous US penalties had focused on individual ICC officials, including its prosecutor and several judges, over investigations involving American and Israeli officials.

"President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute Americans," Mr Rubio said, adding that the sanctions would severely hinder its operations. He further cautioned US allies belonging to the court who rely on American service members for their defense to bring the tribunal under control or face further US efforts to dismantle it.

The announcement coincided with former ICC judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting peace and international law.

In response, the ICC strongly rejected the sanctions, condemning them as an attack on international justice and a direct assault on the rule of law. ICC President Tomoko Akane urged member states to defend the institution against mounting US pressure, emphasizing that the Rome Statute relies entirely on the collective resolve of those who created it.

The European Union labeled the penalties deeply regrettable and affirmed its readiness to support the court's ongoing work. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and various human rights groups also condemned the move, warning that the restrictions threaten the pursuit of justice for victims of atrocities globally.