US-ICC Tensions and Institutional Challenges
The United States imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) leadership, prompting the ICC to condemn the actions as attacks on judicial independence, while member states remove the prosecutor and debate the court's future.
January 2024
ICC issued arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This action was related to the war in Gaza.
Source ↗October 2024
Khan sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others
Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan sought arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants also targeted three Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Source ↗ICC Seeks Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders
Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan sought arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The warrants related to alleged war crimes committed during the war in Gaza.
Source ↗May 2025
Karim Khan stepped back from ICC duties amid allegations
Karim Khan stepped back from his duties at the International Criminal Court in May 2025. This action followed an inquiry launched the previous year regarding allegations made by a female colleague.
Source ↗June 2026
ICC bureau suspended prosecutor Karim Khan
The 21-member bureau of the Assembly of State Parties suspended prosecutor Karim Khan. This suspension was announced by the governing body of the International Criminal Court.
Source ↗July 2026
Malaysian lawyer Sarah interviews CNN about assault
A Malaysian lawyer, identified as Sarah, gave an interview to CNN. She described an escalation of attempts that resulted in physical assault by Karim Khan.
Source ↗ICC member states remove Prosecutor Karim Khan
Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted by a majority to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. The vote occurred during a special session at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Source ↗US Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatens ICC dismantling
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made threats that Washington would dismantle the ICC if necessary. These threats followed sanctions imposed by the US on ICC judges and prosecutors.
Source ↗Venezuela Announces Withdrawal from ICC; US Praises Move
Venezuela, under interim President Delcy Rodriguez, announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The United States welcomed this decision and praised the new Venezuelan government's cooperation with US efforts to dismantle the court.
Source ↗US Accuses ICC of Bias in Venezuelan Investigations
The US agency accused the ICC of failing to produce results from its investigation into former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The US further claimed the ICC directed resources toward countries with independent judicial systems that had not accepted the court's jurisdiction.
Source ↗US Claims Nicolas Maduro Faces Justice in US Court
The US agency stated that Nicolas Maduro is facing justice before a US court for alleged crimes. The US credited President Donald Trump and US service members for this action.
Source ↗Venezuela Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced Venezuela's withdrawal from the ICC. The U.S. welcomed this decision in a post on X.
Source ↗U.S. Praises Venezuelan Cooperation to Dismantle ICC
The U.S. praised the new Venezuelan government's cooperation with Washington's efforts to dismantle the Hague-based court. The U.S. stated it welcomes the decision by Venezuela to withdraw from the ICC.
Source ↗U.S. Agency Accuses ICC of Selective Enforcement
The U.S. agency accused the ICC of failing to produce results from its investigation into former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The agency criticized the court for directing resources toward countries with independent judicial systems.
Source ↗August 2026
US rights groups sue Trump over ICC sanctions
Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, filed a lawsuit in a New York court. They challenged sanctions imposed by the Trump administration targeting the International Criminal Court.
Source ↗US sanctions ICC President Tomoko Akane and lawyer Abdoulaye Seye
The United States imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal. These measures bar the individuals from entering the United States and from using the US financial system.
Source ↗US sanctions target ICC officials investigating Israeli war crimes
The US sanctioned ICC officials, including Abdoulaye Saye, who was investigating alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza. This action was part of a broader targeting of ICC personnel by the Trump administration.
Source ↗US sanctions ICC President and prosecutor
The United States sanctioned Tomoko Akane, the ICC president, and Abdoulaye Seye, an ICC senior trial lawyer. The sanctions were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Source ↗US unveils effort to dismantle ICC threat
The US State Department unveiled an effort to 'dismantle the threat' posed by the International Criminal Court to US sovereignty. This announcement was made in the context of the sanctions.
Source ↗ICC rejects US sanctions targeting court officials
The International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected new sanctions imposed by the United States. The sanctions specifically targeted the ICC's president and a senior lawyer within the prosecutor’s office.
Source ↗ICC denounces US sanctions against officials as flagrant attack
The International Criminal Court denounced new US sanctions targeting President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Saye. The ICC characterized the sanctions as a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.
Source ↗Dutch Foreign Minister supports ICC against US sanctions
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen publicly stated that international courts must be able to freely carry out their mandates. He pledged full support for the ICC and its staff following the US sanctions.
Source ↗Marco Rubio Announces Sanctions Against ICC Officials
Marco Rubio announced the sanctions against ICC officials. He stated the designations were due to efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government had not consented to ICC jurisdiction.
Source ↗