# Trump Urges All ICC Members to Resign, Calls Court 'Evil' at UN

> Donald Trump told the UN that the International Criminal Court is 'evil' and urged all members to resign immediately, sparking concerns about the court's future. The call has significant implications for international law and global accountability mechanisms.

- **Published**: 2026-09-22 18:33:17
- **Canonical**: https://worldys.news/article/trump-urges-all-icc-members-to-resign-calls-court-evil-at-un

## Reporting

Former President Donald Trump, speaking to the United Nations General Assembly, demanded that every member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) step down immediately and labeled the court 'evil.' The remarks, echoed in multiple outlets, represent the most direct political attack on the court since its inception.

The Core Developments

Trump's statement was delivered during a floor-level address to the UN, where he said the ICC had become a 'political weapon' and urged 'all nations that are members of the ICC to quit the court.' Al Arabiya English The former president's language was stark: he called the institution 'evil' and insisted that its members resign without delay. independent.co.uk

Reuters, as reproduced on Investing.com, reported that Trump's call was not accompanied by any formal US diplomatic action; it was a personal appeal rather than a policy directive. Investing.com The United Nations platform gave him a global audience, but no immediate response from the UN Secretary-General or the ICC was recorded in the reports.

U.S. News & World Report described the demand as a 'call on all ICC members to resign immediately,' emphasizing the immediacy Trump attached to the request. U.S. News & World Report The Times of Israel noted that Trump framed the appeal as a broader challenge to 'all nations' that had signed the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC. The Times of Israel Yahoo News Singapore highlighted the rhetorical intensity, quoting Trump's demand that every nation 'resign' from the court. Yahoo News Singapore

Why it Matters

The ICC is the only permanent, treaty-based court with jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. While the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, it has cooperated with the court in limited cases and has historically advocated for its legitimacy. A high-profile call for mass resignation threatens to erode the court's perceived universality and could embolden other states that have already withdrawn or expressed skepticism.

Trump's framing of the ICC as 'evil' taps into a broader narrative that the court is used to target political opponents, a claim that has been floated by several non-member states. If the rhetoric gains traction, it could lead to a cascade of withdrawals, diminishing the court's ability to prosecute the most serious international crimes.

Beyond the legal implications, the statement underscores the lingering influence of former US leaders on international discourse. While Trump no longer holds office, his public platform at the UN gives his words weight among his supporters and could shape future US-ICC interactions, especially if a future administration adopts a tougher stance.

What the Sources Show

All six sources convey the same core message: Trump called for the resignation of ICC members and condemned the court as 'evil.' However, each outlet highlights a slightly different angle. The independent.co.uk article foregrounds the moral condemnation, quoting the word 'evil' directly. Reuters (via Investing.com) frames the appeal as a personal statement without policy backing. Al Arabiya English and The Times of Israel stress the UN setting and the call for 'all nations' to quit, suggesting a broader diplomatic outreach.

U.S. News & World Report and Yahoo News Singapore focus on the immediacy of the demand, using phrasing like 'immediately' and 'resign' to convey urgency. None of the reports indicate that any ICC official responded, nor do they mention any concrete procedural steps being taken by the United States government.

The consistency across outlets confirms that Trump's remarks were widely reported, but the variance in emphasis reflects editorial priorities: some prioritize the sensational language, others the procedural context.

What's Next

In the short term, the ICC is expected to issue a formal response, though no such statement has appeared in the coverage to date. The United Nations may schedule a debate on the issue during its next General Assembly session, which traditionally occurs in September; the exact date has not been set.

U.S. officials have not clarified whether Trump's remarks signal a shift in official policy. If the State Department were to adopt a similar stance, it would likely be announced through a press release or a diplomatic note to the UN – developments that observers will watch for in the coming weeks.

For member states that are already skeptical of the ICC, Trump's appeal could accelerate discussions about withdrawal. Conversely, countries that support the court may rally to reaffirm their commitment, potentially leading to a diplomatic split at upcoming UN meetings.

Stakeholders, including human-rights NGOs and international law scholars, have warned that politicizing the court could undermine global accountability mechanisms. Their analyses will likely surface in op-eds and policy briefs as the UN deliberations unfold.

The ICC's future actions will be closely watched, particularly if it chooses to respond formally to Trump's comments. The court's Prosecutor, Karim Khan, has previously emphasized the importance of maintaining the court's independence and impartiality. Any response from the ICC will likely aim to reinforce these principles.

Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly could play a crucial role in shaping the international response to Trump's call. Member states may use the platform to express their support for the ICC or to voice their concerns about its functioning. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for the court's future and its ability to prosecute international crimes.

---
*Synthesized by Worldys News Intelligence Desk under journalistic verification standards.*