# United States designates International Criminal Court as an institution

Date: 2026

On 9 October 2026, Secretary of State [Marco Rubio](/people/marco-rubio) announced that the United States was designating the International Criminal Court itself under Executive Order 14203. The State Department said Treasury would issue general licenses, including a 180-day authorization for certain activity needed to maintain court operations. Associated Press reported that the sanctions restrict transactions with the court and access to U.S. financial services, technology and U.S.-dollar transactions. Rubio said the action protects U.S. sovereignty because the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute. The ICC said the institutional designation was unprecedented and aimed at obstructing its judicial work.

## People

- Marco Rubio: https://factrail.ai/people/marco-rubio

## Drivers

- Judicial independence erosion (court capture): https://factrail.ai/drivers/justice-judicial-independence-erosion
- Rule of Law: https://factrail.ai/drivers/rule-of-law

## Sources

- https://www.forth.news/lists/state/Cfrpu2GdcFiftvDyVKYq7
- https://www.forth.news/lists/state/CfrpwotpbJwmX4faQ2UeA
- https://apnews.com/article/4ea3555403e3c695d8f81dc473515d9b

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/us-designates-icc-institution-sanctions-2026-10-09