US sanctions ICC president and prosecutor
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The gist
The US sanctioned the International Criminal Court on Oct 9, 2026, banning transactions with it.
The court's supporters call it a blow to international justice; its work continues.
Background
The US and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute, the treaty that founded the ICC, but the court has ruled that abuses by US or Israeli citizens on the territory of member states can be prosecuted. Washington pointed to the ICC's Afghanistan investigation, which could involve US military and intelligence personnel, and to arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over Gaza. Rubio described a 'sweeping campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the International Criminal Court'.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2020The ICC appeals chamber confirmed an investigation including allegations of CIA torture at 'black sites' in Poland, Romania and Lithuania.
- Sep 2020The US imposed 'smart sanctions' on two ICC officials, including prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.
- Apr 2021The sanctions were revoked under President Joe Biden.
- Nov 2024ICC prosecutor Karim Khan issued arrest warrants against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza conflict.
- Oct 9, 2026The US imposed sanctions on the ICC as an institution; 13 judges, prosecutors and other court representatives had previously been added to sanctions lists.
- Oct 9, 2026Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions, including a ban on US entities making transactions with the ICC; American companies were given six months to stop cooperating, with exceptions for certain necessary transactions.
- Oct 9, 2026Naval Pillay, a former ICC judge, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize hours before the sanctions announcement.
- Oct 9, 2026ICC President Tomoko Akane said the court will continue to fully discharge its mandate; deputy prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan told Reuters the sanctions 'must be condemned'.
- Oct 11, 2026A report was published on Trump missing out on the Nobel Prize again and the new ICC sanctions.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington does not recognise the ICC's jurisdiction over Americans and called it 'a rogue court', vowing to cut off its resources.
- Official
- ICC President Tomoko Akane said the court will continue to fully discharge its mandate with independence and impartiality, based only on law and evidence.
- Party
- ICC deputy prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said the sanctions 'must be condemned' and are intended to undermine the rule of law internationally.
- Analysts
- The ICC called the measures unprecedented pressure on an independent judicial institution and an assault on the foundations of the international legal order.
Still unverified
Rumours had circulated for weeks that the US would impose tougher sanctions on the ICC over what Trump sees as unfair targeting of Americans and Israelis. Khan was removed from office earlier this year due to allegations of sexual abuse, though there is also some suggestion it was due to his support for the Palestinian investigation. ICC officials told Middle East Eye ahead of the announcement that they were prepared to withstand institutional sanctions and had alternative arrangements in place.