United States President Donald Trump has called on all countries that are members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to withdraw from the institution, accusing the tribunal of acting beyond its authority.
Trump made the call on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, while addressing world leaders at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
During his speech, Trump criticised the ICC and said the United States opposed what he described as an “out-of-control” institution. He argued that American military personnel should not be subjected to investigations or proceedings by a court that Washington does not recognise as having jurisdiction over the United States.
Trump then urged countries that are members of the court to leave.
“I call on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution immediately,” he said during the address.
The United States is not a member of the ICC and has never ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. Israel, Russia and China are also outside the court’s membership.
The ICC, based in The Hague, prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression in circumstances where it has jurisdiction.
Trump’s criticism reflects the long-running dispute between Washington and the court. His administration has opposed ICC actions involving US personnel and has also criticised the court over its proceedings involving Israeli officials. Washington has imposed sanctions on ICC officials as part of its efforts to pressure the institution.
The ICC’s relationship with Israel has been particularly contentious for the Trump administration. The court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a move strongly opposed by Washington.
Trump’s latest intervention comes as the ICC faces broader pressure and changes in its membership. Five countries — Venezuela, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger — have announced withdrawals from the court within the past year, according to Associated Press reporting.
The Trump administration’s opposition to the ICC has also been echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has previously described the court as a threat to US sovereignty and pledged to intensify pressure against it.
Trump’s call at the UN does not itself remove any country from the ICC. Each member state would have to follow the withdrawal procedure provided under the Rome Statute.
The speech therefore marks a renewed public push by the US president for ICC member states to reconsider their membership, as Washington continues its opposition to the court’s jurisdiction over American personnel and its actions involving US allies.