The Trump administration has announced a broad campaign aimed at weakening the International Criminal Court (ICC), pledging what it described as a "whole-of-government response" to counter what it considers a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
The announcement was made by the U.S. State Department on Monday through a news release, a video statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and an opinion article published in The Wall Street Journal.
Officials said Washington is considering a range of diplomatic and economic measures while urging partner countries to reject the ICC's authority over American officials and military personnel.
The State Department said options under consideration include expanded sanctions against ICC personnel and affiliated organizations, travel bans, visa revocations, and increased diplomatic pressure on countries supporting the court.
Officials also said nations benefiting from U.S. security cooperation or assistance could face greater scrutiny if they continue recognizing the ICC's jurisdiction over American personnel.
A State Department official said the administration intends "to diplomatically isolate the International Criminal Court and ensure it cannot target Americans."
Rubio said the administration would not allow the court to threaten U.S. personnel, arguing the ICC had moved beyond its original purpose.
The United States has never joined the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, although the court maintains it can prosecute crimes committed on the territory of member states by nationals of non-member states.
The latest initiative expands a long-running U.S. dispute with the ICC that dates back to Trump's first term, when sanctions were imposed on court officials over an investigation involving Afghanistan.
Those sanctions were later lifted under President Joe Biden, although U.S. opposition to ICC jurisdiction over Americans remained unchanged.
The administration has also linked its current position to concerns that future investigations could target U.S. officials or military actions overseas.
The ICC declined to comment on the latest announcement.
The court has not taken steps to investigate U.S. personnel in recent years, while its Afghanistan investigation has since shifted its focus toward alleged crimes committed by the Afghan government and Taliban forces.
Last month, three ICC judges filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging sanctions imposed on them, arguing the measures were unlawful.