Washington: President Donald Trump’s administration has prepared sanctions against the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) and plans to announce them soon, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
The precise timing remains uncertain, and the United States (US) Department of State has not publicly confirmed the reported decision.
Washington has previously imposed sanctions on individual judges and prosecutors connected with the court. Targeting the institution itself would represent a significant escalation in the US campaign against the tribunal.
The Trump administration wants the court to withdraw arrest warrants issued for Israeli leaders and has opposed its previous investigation into alleged crimes involving US personnel in Afghanistan.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected with the Gaza conflict. Israel has rejected the accusations and disputes the court’s jurisdiction.
The US and Israel are not members of the court. Washington maintains that the tribunal has no authority over citizens of countries that have not joined it.
The court argues that it may exercise jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed on the territory of a member state, regardless of the accused person’s nationality.
If the US Treasury imposes sanctions on the entire organisation, American citizens and companies could be prohibited from providing funds, goods or services to the court without official authorisation.
International banks and companies may also restrict their dealings with the court because of their dependence on the American financial system.
ICC officials have warned that such measures could affect information technology services, insurance, investigations and routine financial transactions, including payments to American employees.
The court was established in 2002 to prosecute genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression when national authorities are unable or unwilling to conduct genuine proceedings.
The proposed sanctions therefore extend beyond the dispute over individual cases. Their practical effect could determine whether the court can continue its wider investigations and daily operations across multiple countries.
