Trump Administration Sanctions ICC, Says ‘Either the ICC Will End Its Threats, or We Will End the ICC’

On October 9, 2026, the Trump administration imposed sweeping financial sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), blocking its U.S. assets and barring U.S. companies and individuals from dealing with the tribunal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions in a video posted on X, warning “either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC,” and calling it a “rogue court.” The sanctions were structured to give the ICC and its member states 180 days to address U.S. concerns before full enforcement. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and drew immediate condemnation from the ICC, UN Secretary-General, EU allies, and human rights groups as an assault on the rule of law and international justice.

“Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC.” — Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a video posted on X announcing sanctions on the International Criminal Court Quote verified against source