US unveils sanctions on ICC in move court condemns as 'assault on rule of law'

Several member states of the international tribunal, including the UK, say they "strongly disagree" with the sanctions. The ICC said it would not be "deterred" by the sanctions The Trump administration has unveiled sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a significant acceleration of its attempt to "dismantle" what it sees as a "rogue" institution. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures – which include a ban on US entities making transactions with the ICC – were intended to "defend US sovereignty" and accused the court of seeking to prosecute Americans. The ICC said the measures were an assault on the rule of law and the foundations of the international legal order.

The announcement came just hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The US has already sanctioned 17 of the ICC's judges and officials, but this move sanctions the court itself as an institution and is intended to collapse its ability to operate financially. However, the US has provided a six month grace period before some of these latest sanctions kick in, meaning member states can keep paying for its operations – a move Washington says is to allow countries time to negotiate a "solution to address" US concerns.