The Trump administration is preparing sweeping new sanctions against the International Criminal Court that could cut the institution off from much of the global financial system, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.

The proposed sanctions would prohibit most transactions with the ICC following a grace period of six to seven months, according to documents viewed by the Journal and cited officials. The measures could prevent the court from conducting transactions in U.S. dollars and severely restrict its access to the international financial system.

This step marks a significant escalation from prior actions that targeted individual ICC officials. The United States has already sanctioned several court personnel, including former Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and, in August, the court's president, Tomoko Akane. An executive order from February 2025 authorized financial and visa restrictions on staff involved in investigations of Americans or citizens of U.S. allies.

The move comes amid ongoing criticism of the ICC's jurisdiction and actions, particularly its 2024 arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over events in Gaza. Israel has rejected the court's authority, and the United States has long maintained that the ICC lacks legitimate oversight over non-member nations like itself and its allies.

Officials indicated the sanctions could be finalized as soon as this week during the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. Transactions involving communications services would reportedly be exempt.

The sanctions reflect the administration's commitment to protecting American sovereignty and supporting key allies against what it views as overreach by international institutions. Previous sanctions on the court have drawn support from those concerned about the ICC's selective focus and potential impact on national security decisions.