WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration is starting a new effort to counter what it sees as a threat to U.S. sovereignty from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a State Department official said on July 13.

President Donald Trump and other U.S. leaders, including former President George W. Bush, have long argued that the ICC should not have the power to investigate or prosecute Americans, especially members of the military.

Earlier this year, Reuters reported that the Trump administration supported sanctions against ICC officials partly to prevent any future attempts to hold Trump or his officials responsible for U.S. military actions abroad.

The State Department official, who spoke anonymously, said the U.S. is considering many options to act against the ICC. These include travel bans, visa cancellations, stronger sanctions against the ICC and related groups, and diplomatic efforts to pressure other countries to withdraw from the court.

The ICC was created in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, with its offices in The Hague, the Netherlands. It only takes action if a member country cannot or will not prosecute such crimes itself. The United States has never joined the ICC.

Trump's opposition to the court dates back to his first term as president. It became stronger again after his re-election in November 2024, when the ICC issued an arrest warrant for his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At that time, plans were made to punish ICC officials.

Last month, three ICC judges filed a lawsuit against Trump and his administration over sanctions imposed on them last year, saying the measures were unlawful.

The State Department official said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior U.S. officials are also pressuring other countries as part of a campaign to diplomatically isolate the ICC and stop it from targeting Americans.

In March 2020, ICC prosecutors opened an investigation into Afghanistan, which included looking at possible crimes by U.S. troops. However, since 2021, the court has reduced its focus on the U.S. and instead concentrated on alleged crimes by the Afghan government and Taliban forces.

The official said countries that work with U.S. law enforcement, host U.S. military bases, or depend on U.S. security support are being asked to reject what the U.S. sees as the ICC's claimed authority to prosecute American officials and service members.

The official added that countries that continue to support the ICC while relying on U.S. assistance may face closer scrutiny.

The official said the United States would closely watch which countries choose to stand with it against what it described as a threat to Americans who risk their lives to protect others.