# US campaign to delegitimize ICC escalates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/icc-judges-lawsuit-against-trump > Updated: 2026-09-09T22:00:00.000Z. Sources: 515. Developments: 28. The United States’ effort to undermine the International Criminal Court (ICC) has intensified into a whole-of-government campaign. In late July 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the ICC “frankly illegitimate” and vowed to “dismantle the ICC – brick by brick, if necessary.” The campaign, framed as a defense of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a 2024 arrest warrant, includes travel bans, visa revocations, and expanded sanctions on ICC officials. In mid-August 2026, the administration expanded its targeting of high-ranking officials. New sanctions, including asset freezes and restrictions on transactions involving U.S. companies, were imposed on ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. Secretary Rubio characterized the ICC as a “corrupt and fatally politicized” institution, stating the government intends to “systematically disable” the court’s ability to operate. By early September 2026, the diplomatic and personal fallout intensified. Current and former presidents of the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties issued a joint op-ed warning that efforts to isolate the institution are intended to “erode confidence in the international legal order.” In The Hague, Mayor Jan van Zanen noted that sanctions prevent staff from leading normal lives; for instance, judge Nicolas Guillou reported being unable to use U.S.-based financial services like Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal. Despite the pressure, ICC President Tomoko Akane stated from Tokyo that she remains “unwavering” in her convictions. In Japan, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have criticized the American measures as “incompatible with Japan’s position” and “highly unfavorable,” emphasizing Japan's support for the ICC's mission to uphold the rule of law. ## Claims - The U.S. campaign against the ICC is intended to protect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not President Trump. (disputed by 5 sources) - The US administration has sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye. (corroborated by 50 sources) - The sanctioned individuals were involved in efforts to prosecute officials from non-signatory governments. (corroborated by 45 sources) - The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on using services from US companies. (corroborated by 42 sources) - The US is sanctioning ICC officials in response to investigations involving Israel and the conflict in Gaza. (corroborated by 41 sources) - The sanctions are part of a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court. (corroborated by 33 sources) - The ICC stated that sanctioning its staff undermines the rule of law and endangers the international legal order. (corroborated by 29 sources) - The US administration has sanctioned at least 11 ICC officials, including nine judges and the chief prosecutor. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Five countries – Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Venezuela and Chad – have formally notified the ICC of their intent to quit. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Marco Rubio called the International Criminal Court an illegitimate international organization. (corroborated by 21 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: United States urges NATO allies to dismantle the International Criminal Court The U.S. is urging NATO allies to help dismantle the International Criminal Court and withdraw from the Rome Statute to protect U.S. and Israeli officials from potential war crimes prosecutions. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-pressures-nato-allies-to-dismantle-the-icc ### 2026-09-06: ICC President Tomoko Akane vows to continue work despite US sanctions ICC President Tomoko Akane vowed to remain “unwavering” in her role despite US sanctions following arrest warrants issued for Israeli leaders regarding alleged war crimes in Gaza. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icc-president-tomoko-akane-vows-to-continue-work-despite-us-sanctions ### 2026-09-03: International Criminal Court leaders condemn US efforts to isolate institution ICC leaders have condemned US efforts to diplomatically isolate the court, warning that sanctions against officials and pressure to withdraw from the Rome Statute threaten the international legal order. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icc-leaders-warn-against-efforts-to-erode-international-legal-order ### 2026-08-31: ICC President Tomoko Akane targeted by US sanctions US sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane have disrupted her ability to use financial services, prompting debate in Japan over how to defend the rule of law against unilateral US measures. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icc-president-tomoko-akane-targeted-by-us-sanctions ### 2026-08-26: ICC President Tomoko Akane targeted by US sanctions The US has sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and other officials, freezing assets to challenge the court's authority. Japan's government called the move “incompatible” with its stance on the rule of law. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icc-president-tomoko-akane-vows-to-resist-us-sanctions ### 2026-08-24: ICC President Tomoko Akane defends court independence amid U.S. sanctions ICC President Tomoko Akane defended the court's independence after the U.S. imposed sanctions on her and other officials, while Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the measures incompatible with Japan 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/international-criminal-court-president-faces-us-sanctions ### 2026-08-22: Senegal condemns US sanctions against ICC officials Senegal has condemned US sanctions against International Criminal Court officials, expressing solidarity with targeted prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye and defending the court's independence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senegal-condemns-us-sanctions-against-icc-officials ### 2026-08-22: ICC President Tomoko Akane sanctioned by United States The U.S. has sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, citing threats to sovereignty. The move follows ICC warrants for Israeli officials and has drawn criticism from the EU and Japan. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-sanctions-icc-president-tomoko-akane-3 ### 2026-08-20: International Criminal Court officials sanctioned by United States The US has sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, freezing assets and banning entry. The ICC calls the move a “flagrant attack” on judicial independence amid US-led investigations. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-sanctions-icc-president-tomoko-akane-1 ### 2026-08-18: ICC President and senior lawyer sanctioned by United States The U.S. has sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, part of a campaign to dismantle the court, which the U.S. claims is overstepping its jurisdiction and threatening sovereignty. 246 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-sanctions-icc-president-and-senior-lawyer ### 2026-08-17: European judicial bodies condemn US pressure on International Criminal Court European judicial bodies have condemned US measures targeting the International Criminal Court, including visa revocations and sanctions, citing threats to judicial independence and the rule of law. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-judicial-bodies-condemn-us-pressure-on-international-criminal-court ### 2026-08-13: European judicial groups condemn U.S. threats against the ICC European judicial organizations have condemned U.S. threats to dismantle the International Criminal Court, calling for unified action to protect the institution's independence and personnel. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-judicial-groups-condemn-us-threats-against-the-icc ### 2026-08-11: Human rights groups sue Trump administration over ICC sanctions Four human rights groups have sued the Trump administration, challenging an executive order that imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court officials and undermines international justice efforts. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/human-rights-groups-sue-trump-administration-over-icc-sanctions ### 2026-07-31: U.S. Campaign Against ICC Escalates as Rubio Calls Court Illegitimate Marco Rubio calls the ICC illegitimate, warns U.S. personnel could face indictments, and leads a campaign that has prompted five nations—including Venezuela—to withdraw, framed as protecting Israel’s Netanyahu. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-jokes-he-could-be-icc-target-while-us-campaign-shields-netanyahu ### 2026-07-24: Netanyahu and Rubio plan to dismantle International Criminal Court Netanyahu says Rubio reaffirmed U.S. plans to dismantle the ICC; Netanyahu praises Khan’s removal and will meet Trump in Washington. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-launches-diplomatic-offensive-to-weaken-international-criminal-court ### 2026-07-22: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vows to dismantle ICC and rejects its jurisdiction U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, rejecting any U.S. jurisdiction and accusing the court of overreach, while the ICC defended its global role 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-vows-to-dismantle-icc-and-rejects-its-jurisdiction ### 2026-07-20: US escalates campaign to dismantle International Criminal Court The US announced on July 13 a whole‑of‑government plan to pressure states, sanction ICC officials and supporters, and undermine the International Criminal Court, sparking condemnation from human‑rights groups. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-escalates-campaign-to-dismantle-international-criminal-court ### 2026-07-19: US Secretary Marco Rubio vows to dismantle ICC U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatens to dismantle the International Criminal Court, proposing sanctions, entry bans for ICC staff and heightened diplomatic pressure on supporting states, prompting reb… 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-vows-to-dismantle-international-criminal-court ### 2026-07-17: ICC Faces US Sanctions, Italians Call EU to Block Them A July protest in Rome, backed by Italian parties, urged the EU to use its block statute to shield the International Criminal Court from US sanctions targeting judges after ICC arrest warrants. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icc-faces-us-sanctions-italians-call-eu-to-block-them ### 2026-07-17: Marco Rubio vows to dismantle International Criminal Court U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court, calling it a sovereignty threat and pledging diplomatic pressure and sanctions against the court. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-targets-icc-and-detains-colombian-journalist ### 2026-07-17: Indonesia denounces US campaign to undermine International Criminal Court Indonesia warns the U.S. campaign against the ICC threatens respect for international law, while the U.S. says it will push allies to abandon the court. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-defends-icc-as-us-launches-campaign-to-dismantle-court ### 2026-07-15: U.S. lawsuit challenges Trump administration’s ICC sanctions as First‑Amendment violation Two US NGOs sued the Trump administration, saying its 2025 sanctions on ICC judges and Palestinian advocates breach the First Amendment and silence Palestine‑rights advocacy. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-advocacy-groups-sue-trump-administration-over-icc-sanctions ### 2026-07-14: International Criminal Court targeted by US campaign as Philippines says it cannot intervene The U.S., led by Marco Rubio, is campaigning to isolate the ICC, while the Philippines says it cannot intervene, noting its 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute and ongoing ICC warrants for former President Dí 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/international-criminal-court-targeted-by-us-campaign-as-philippines-says-it-cannot-intervene ### 2026-07-12: U.S. launches diplomatic campaign to undermine International Criminal Court The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, launched a diplomatic campaign to sanction and isolate the International Criminal Court, citing threats to U.S. sovereignty and urging allies to拒 104 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-trump-administration-moves-to-isolate-international-criminal-court ### 2026-07-11: Canada weighs support for ICC Judge Prost's lawsuit against U.S. sanctions ICC judge Kimberly Prost sues Trump over sanctions; Canada is undecided on filing an amicus brief to support her case. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canada-weighs-support-for-icc-judge-prosts-lawsuit-against-us-sanctions ### 2026-06-28: ICC judges sue Trump administration over sanctions Three ICC judges from Canada, Uganda and Benin sued the Trump administration in New York, contesting 2025 sanctions they say illegally freeze assets and breach judicial independence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icc-judges-sue-trump-administration-over-sanctions ### 2026-06-25: ICC Judges Sue US President Over Sanctions Three ICC judges sued the US in Manhattan, claiming Trump‑imposed sanctions overstep legal authority and amount to a “financial death penalty,” after the court issued warrants for Israel’s leader and examined U 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/icc-judges-sue-us-president-over-sanctions ### 2026-06-24: ICC judges sue Trump over sanctions, call them illegal financial death penalty Three ICC judges sued Trump in Manhattan, claiming 2020 sanctions violate the law, amount to a “financial death penalty,” and seek removal of the measures tied to ICC actions on Israel and Afghanistan. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/international-criminal-court-judges-sue-us-over-trump-era-sanctions --- Cite as: US campaign to delegitimize ICC escalates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/icc-judges-lawsuit-against-trump