In an interview with FRANCE 24 on July 16, 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) executive director Philippe Bolopion accused the Trump administration of launching "an all-out assault on human rights" both domestically and globally.

Bolopion highlighted the Fort Bliss ICE detention center in Texas, the largest in the US, describing it as a "human rights catastrophe." He reported that migrants there are "beaten up by masked agents for no reason" and held in "completely degrading circumstances." He also noted that one detainee died under "very suspicious circumstances" and stated that HRW wants the facility "closed down and investigated."

On the international front, Bolopion cited US sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and claimed that Senator Marco Rubio has made dismantling the ICC "a goal of US foreign policy." He further criticized the US for "defunding of the UN" and its exit from the Human Rights Council, arguing that Washington is prepared to "upend the rules-based world order."

Bolopion warned that "would-be dictators or actual dictators around the world are taking note" of these developments.

Sources