Ilhan Omar renews push for US to join ICC amid Trump pressure

The resolution comes days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to ‘dismantle’ the international court.Published On 16 Jul 2026United States Representative Ilhan Omar has pushed back against President Donald Trump’s efforts to “dismantle” the International Criminal Court (ICC), instead introducing a resolution calling on the country to join the tribunal.The move came just days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to “dismantle the ICC — brick by brick, if necessary”, using “all the tools at our government’s disposal”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3ICC judges sue Trump over sanctions, call measures unlawfullist 2 of 3Trump administration renews pressure on International Criminal Courtlist 3 of 3Trump administration vows to ‘disable’ International Criminal Courtend of listOmar’s resolution, introduced on Wednesday, calls on the US to join the ICC by ratifying the Rome Statute, the court’s founding document.The resolution would also put pressure on the Trump administration to lift the sanctions and visa restrictions it has placed on court officials.Omar, a former child refugee from Somalia, argued in a statement this week that joining the court would be a step towards fortifying the rule of law around the world.“If we truly believe in human rights and the rule of law, we should strengthen international justice — not undermine it,” Omar said. “The United States should lead by example and show that no one is above the law.”But the Trump administration has lashed out at the ICC for its investigations of US and Israeli personnel.Neither the US nor Israel is a signatory to the Rome Statute, and neither recognises the court’s authority. But both countries have been accused of human rights abuses in countries that are ICC member states.The ICC, for instance, has investigated Israel over war crimes in Gaza, issuing arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024.