The U.S. administration is finalizing an effort to sever the International Criminal Court's ties to the international banking network by restricting its payment capabilities. The sanctions would prohibit most transactions with the ICC after a six to seven month grace period and prevent the court from using U.S. dollars, following arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This strategy marks the first time the U.S. targets the court as an institution rather than individual judges and prosecutors.

President Trump demanded that all member nations officially resign from the court during an address to the UN General Assembly on Sept. 22. He characterized the ICC as an "evil group of people" and stated that U.S. service members will not be subjected to "show trials" by an anti-American tribunal. The president also criticized the UN Human Rights Council and UNESCO for their commentary on U.S. immigration and transgender policies.