ICC news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
US sanctioned ICC president Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on Aug 18, 2026. The move escalates Washington's campaign to dismantle the court over its probes into US.
Background
The US has long opposed the ICC's investigations into American and Israeli military actions, arguing the court threatens national sovereignty. In 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over the Gaza war, prompting US sanctions on several ICC officials. The Trump administration has since intensified efforts to undermine the court, including diplomatic pressure on other countries to withdraw.
How it unfolded
- Nov 2024ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu and former defense minister Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
- Jun 2026Three ICC judges sued the US administration in New York federal court over sanctions imposed on them, arguing the measures were unlawful.
- Jul 2026US State Department announced a 'whole-of-government campaign' to dismantle the ICC, including sanctions and visa revocations.
- Aug 18, 2026US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, accusing them of targeting countries that have not consented to ICC jurisdiction.
Who’s saying what
- US
- Rubio called the ICC a 'corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court' that has 'maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate.'
- ICC
- The ICC said the sanctions 'undermine the rule of law' and that threatening judicial actors 'places the international legal order itself at risk.'
- Critics
- Human rights groups and some countries argue the US campaign is an attempt to shield Israel and the US from accountability for alleged war crimes.
Still unverified
Israeli media reports that Seye is overseeing an investigation into Israeli funding for illegal settlements in the West Bank, but this is not officially confirmed.