US Sanctions ICC, Threatens to Dismantle Court
The U.S. has imposed sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), cutting off its access to banking, insurance, software and other services.The Trump administration has moved to restrict the operations of the International Criminal Court through a new round of sweeping sanctions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement on October 9, 2026, said the measures, which include a ban on US entities conducting transactions with the ICC, are intended to defend American sovereignty
The Nobel Peace Prize was just awarded to a former ICC judge. Many US allies are among the 125 court member states.Companies that provide services to the court will face penalties.
U.S. allies aren’t happy about Washington’s sanctions on the ICC.Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and Denmark teamed up on a joint statement saying they “regret and strongly disagree” with the U.S. sanctions on the court.
They warn the sanctions would hurt the court’s work, its staff and even their families, and they’re sticking with the ICC anyway.
Washington isn’t budging either. Marco Rubio made it clear that Trump will never allow the ICC to prosecute Americans.
Now 8 of Washington’s closest allies are promising to stand by the court, even as the U.S. moves to punish it.