Trump, the International Criminal Court, and the Future of Global Impunity
2026-08-05
The US has traditionally played a key role in fighting global impunity for atrocity crimes, but the policies of Donald Trump’s administration suggest that a dramatic shift in American priorities may be underway. This article examines America’s commitment to addressing impunity in the context of US relations with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Trump presidency, I argue, showcases a curious mix of continuity and change in America’s relationship with one of the world’s most prominent international institutions. In particular, Trump’s general strategic approach to the ICC represents continuity with past American presidents, but the brazenness of the specific tactics Trump has used to oppose the ICC represents a notable change. The reverberations of recent American attacks on the ICC raise implications for the future of global impunity that will be felt in three distinct areas: in the US–ICC relationship, among ICC adversaries, and among ICC allies.