# Why the US is going after the International Criminal Court

https://mins.news/en/item/26203

- DW, 2026-08-19 13:19 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.dw.com/en/why-the-us-is-going-after-the-international-criminal-court/a-78006596?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf

> US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, including frozen US-held assets and restricted access to the US financial system. Rubio called the court corrupt and politicized, while legal experts described the move as a significant escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign.

## Related coverage

- [UN chief voices grave concern over US sanctions on top ICC officials](https://mins.news/en/item/27984) — CGTN, 2026-08-20
- [ICC condemns US sanctions as ‘flagrant attack’ on court’s independence](https://mins.news/en/item/26212) — Al Jazeera, 2026-08-19
- [Trump administration sanctions sitting ICC president for ‘abuses of power’](https://mins.news/en/item/26214) — Fox News, 2026-08-19
- [US sanctions International Criminal Court president and trial lawyer](https://mins.news/en/video/25733) — Al Jazeera English, 2026-08-19
