Overview
- An unnamed U.S. official told Reuters the administration has urged ICC member states to amend the Rome Statute to ensure the court does not investigate President Trump or senior officials.
- Washington also asked the court to drop investigations of Israeli leaders tied to the Gaza war and to formally close its Afghanistan probe involving U.S. forces.
- The official warned of additional penalties on ICC personnel and said the U.S. could sanction the court as an entity, a step that could disrupt payroll, banking access, and routine software.
- The ICC said amendments fall to States Parties, and treaty changes typically require approval by two-thirds of members, with the United States not a party to the court.
- Earlier this year the U.S. sanctioned nine ICC officials, and the official cited concern the court could pursue U.S. leaders after 2029, as the ICC last November issued Gaza-related warrants for Israeli leaders and a Hamas figure.