Donald Trump Urges Nations to Resign from ICC

President Donald Trump urged all member nations of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to resign immediately during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 22. Trump characterized the Hague-based tribunal as a "rogue institution" and an "anti-American tribunal," asserting that the United States would not allow its citizens or military service members to face "show trials" by a body lacking jurisdiction over the U.S.

This escalation follows the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials regarding actions in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported the president's stance, vowing to dismantle the court "brick by brick" and labeling it a "corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court." The U.S. government is now preparing sweeping institutional sanctions, including asset freezes, visa bans, and financial restrictions targeting the court's budget and personnel. The administration has already sanctioned 13 individual judges and prosecutors, including ICC President Tomoko Akane.

International reactions are divided. Naoero formally announced its withdrawal from the Rome Statute, while Venezuela and Chad announced plans to leave. Conversely, Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul rejected the U.S. demands, stating Germany stands by the court as part of the rules-based order. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged the European Commission to activate the EU Blocking Statute to shield the court from U.S. extraterritorial sanctions, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi affirmed her country's support for the rule of law.