The International Criminal Court (ICC) condemned the U.S. Department of State’s recent sanctions on the intergovernmental agency’s president and trial lawyer, calling the Trump administration’s recent effort a “flagrant attack” against the institution.
“The International Criminal Court deplores the announcement of new designations for sanctions by the US administration… These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution which operates pursuant to the mandate conferred by it State Parties from across the region,” the ICC wrote in a statement.
Rubio Announces New Measures Against ICC
The ICC’s response comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the State Department’s new measure as part of its campaign to “dismantle” the judicial organization.
“Last month, I launched a diplomatic campaign to dismantle the ICC’s threat to our national sovereignty. The Trump Administration is sanctioning ICC President Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye in our wavering mission to protect Americans from this sham of a court,” Secretary Rubio wrote on X. “In honor of our Declaration of Independence, Americans will never be transported beyond seas to be tried for pretend offense.”
Second Trump Admin's Effort To Dismantle The ICC
On July 13, 2026, Secretary Rubio announced a “diplomatic campaign” against the ICC for its “illegitimate interventions,” vowing to dismantle the agency “brick by brick, if necessary.”
This recent effort is part of a larger mission by the Trump administration following ICC’s engagement in “illegitimate and baseless actions” against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
So far, Secretary Rubio has designated sanctions on nine of the eighteen Judges, two Deputy-Prosecutors, the ICC’s former Prosecutor, and one staff member pursuant to President Donald Trump’s Executive Order against the Court.
“As previously stated, the Court remains undeterred and stands firmly behind its personnel and behind victims of unimaginable atrocities,” the ICC affirmed.
