US Imposes New Sanctions on International Criminal Court, Warns of Further Action

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — The United States has announced new sanctions-related measures against the International Criminal Court (ICC), with President Donald Trump’s administration warning that it will continue efforts to restrict the court’s activities unless its concerns are addressed.

In a statement explaining the decision, the administration said the measures were intended to protect American citizens, military personnel, and political leaders from what it considers the ICC’s unlawful assertion of jurisdiction over US nationals.

The administration emphasized that the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, and rejects the court’s authority to prosecute Americans. It specifically cited concerns involving US servicemembers, Border Patrol agents, and elected officials responsible for national security.

According to the statement, Washington intends to prohibit certain transactions with the court and restrict its access to resources. The administration also warned that it could expand its efforts to dismantle the institution if the ICC and its member states fail to address American concerns.

The administration said it had given the court and its member states more than a year to respond to its demands. It argued that neither the court nor its member states had taken sufficient steps to resolve the dispute.

The latest action was taken under Section 1(a)(ii)(A) of Executive Order 14203, issued by President Trump on February 6, 2025. The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also announced related measures and general licenses permitting certain transactions involving the court. <Cite refs={[“turn378094search0″,”turn378094search1”]}/>

Despite the sanctions, the administration said it remained open to a diplomatic solution. It called on countries that are parties to the ICC to engage in discussions aimed at addressing Washington’s objections, warning that additional measures could follow if negotiations fail.

The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression under the conditions established by its founding treaty.

The United States has long opposed the court’s jurisdiction over American nationals, arguing that the country has not consented to the Rome Statute. The dispute has intensified amid broader disagreements over the court’s investigations and legal actions involving US interests and allies.

The ICC has previously condemned US sanctions targeting its judges and officials, describing such measures as threats to judicial independence and the international rule of law. The court has maintained that it will continue carrying out its mandate to pursue accountability for serious international crimes and provide justice for victims. <Cite refs={[“turn378094search4″,”turn378094news8”]}/>

The latest US measures are expected to further strain relations between Washington and countries supporting the ICC, while raising renewed questions about the court’s financial operations, international cooperation, and the limits of its jurisdiction.