Trump Tells ICC Members: "Resign Immediately"

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A Blunt Message From the UN Podium

Speaking before the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, President Trump did not hold back on the International Criminal Court (ICC). He called it an "out of control institution" and described its leadership as "an evil group of people."

"I call on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately," Trump told delegates from the podium.

The president said the United States would not accept what he called "show trials" against American military servicemembers by what he described as an "anti-American tribunal."

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Why Trump Is Targeting the Court

The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, was established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide when national governments are unable or unwilling to do so themselves. Neither the United States nor Israel has ever joined the court, but both can still come under its jurisdiction depending on where alleged crimes take place.

Tensions boiled over in late 2024, when ICC judges issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the conduct of the war in Gaza. The court also opened a separate probe into alleged war crimes by U.S. forces during the 2001–2021 occupation of Afghanistan.

Trump responded in February 2026 with an executive order accusing the ICC of "illegitimate and baseless actions" against the U.S. and its ally Israel. Days later, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan, freezing his American assets and barring him from the country — a step similar to sanctions imposed on his predecessor during Trump's first term, which were later lifted under President Biden.

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Building a Coalition Against the Court

Tuesday's speech was not an isolated shot. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in July that Washington had launched a "major diplomatic offensive" against the ICC, calling it "an illegitimate international organization" and pressing allied governments to leave.

That pressure appears to be having an effect. Chad and Venezuela have both announced plans to withdraw from the court. Separately, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger — under military-led governments — pulled out earlier, arguing the court reflects "neo-colonialist" bias against African nations, a criticism echoed for years by leaders such as Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

With Tuesday's appeal, Trump is now asking the roughly 125 remaining ICC member states, including many in Europe, to follow suit — a far bigger ask than the exits seen so far.

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What Happens Next

No major ICC member state has signaled an immediate willingness to withdraw over the U.S. president's remarks, and European governments have historically defended the court as a cornerstone of international justice. The ICC itself has previously rejected U.S. pressure, saying it "stands firmly by its personnel" and will keep pursuing "independent and impartial" investigations.

Still, the accumulation of sanctions, diplomatic pressure and now a direct public call for mass resignation marks one of the most aggressive stances any U.S. administration has taken toward the court. Whether it reshapes the ICC's membership — or simply hardens the standoff between Washington and The Hague — is likely to become clearer in the coming months as allied governments respond.

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Sources

1. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-calls-all-icc-members-resign-immediately-2026-09-22/
2. NPR — https://www.npr.org/2026/09/22/nx-s1-5976843/trump-heads-to-u-n-looking-for-wins-after-a-rough-week
3. Associated Press (via AccessWDUN) — https://accesswdun.com/print/2025/2/1286435
4. Agence France-Presse (via Macau Business) — https://macaubusiness.com/trump-jokes-that-he-is-not-yet-a-target-of-the-icc/
5. Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/?p=1206950

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