# Europe backs ICC as Trump demands mass withdrawal

> European leaders reject Trump's call for countries to quit the International Criminal Court, vowing to defend the institution against U.S. pressure.
- Title: Europe backs ICC as Trump demands mass withdrawal · TIME
- Summary: European leaders reject Trump's call for countries to quit the International Criminal Court, vowing to defend the institution against U.S. pressure. European…
- Keywords: international criminal court, donald trump, european union, ireland, netherlands, germany, rome statute, war crimes, international law, u.s. foreign policy, Europe, backs
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/09/25/-hands-off-european-leaders-reject-trump-s-call-to-quit-the-icc
- Author: Tiago Ventura
- Published: 2026-09-25T18:38:45+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: international criminal court, donald trump, european union, ireland, netherlands, germany, rome statute, war crimes, international law, u.s. foreign policy
## Trump calls for ICC exodus
President Donald Trump demanded at the UN that all ICC member nations resign immediately, calling the court a rogue institution.

> on all nations that are members of the ICC to officially resign from this rogue institution, immediately
## Ireland pledges ICC support
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the UN General Assembly that Ireland strongly opposes efforts to undermine the court.

> There can be no impunity for war crimes… that is why Ireland is a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court
## Netherlands rejects Trump call
Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten defended the ICC, saying the court protects the international legal order and must be left alone.

> To say: 'hands off' the ICC, and all those other institutions that protect the international legal order
## Germany and EU stand firm
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany will not resign from the ICC, calling it an important institution.

> We will, of course, not be doing that
## What the ICC actually is
The ICC is the world's highest criminal court, established by the Rome Statute treaty in two thousand two and ratified by one hundred twenty five countries.
## Only Nauru follows Trump
Nauru, a microstate island nation, became the only country to follow Trump's lead, announcing its withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
## Withdrawal takes time
Leaving the ICC requires at least one year notice, and departing states must still cooperate with all cases opened before they leave.
## Other nations consider exit
Five states, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Venezuela, and Chad, have recently moved to withdraw. Hungary reversed its withdrawal under new leadership.
## Trump's long campaign
Trump's opposition dates to his first term, when the ICC investigated alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan in two thousand seventeen.
## Gaza investigation sparked escalation
Recent tensions centered on ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over Gaza actions.
## Trump escalates sanctions campaign
In July, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a whole-of-government effort to disable the ICC. The State Department then sanctioned ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane and prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye.
## Key takeaway

European leaders rallied behind the ICC after Trump called for countries to resign, with only Nauru following his lead while major EU nations pledged steadfast support.