Former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, enacting sweeping sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) following its investigation into alleged war crimes involving the US and Israel. The White House called the court’s actions “illegitimate and baseless,” criticizing its arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The ICC had accused Netanyahu, Hamas’ military chief Mohammed Deif, and others of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza, prompting the sanctions. Trump’s order freezes the assets of ICC officials, restricts their travel, and penalizes anyone aiding their investigations, underscoring his administration’s long-standing opposition to the Hague-based tribunal.
This announcement follows Netanyahu’s recent visit to the White House, where Trump reaffirmed US-Israeli ties. The executive order also denounces ICC investigations into alleged US military misconduct in Afghanistan, calling the court a “kangaroo court.”
The sanctions reignite debates over the ICC’s role in international justice. During Trump’s first term, similar sanctions were imposed on ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, who initiated an inquiry into US military activities. While President Biden lifted these sanctions in 2021, he strongly condemned the ICC’s November warrant against Netanyahu.
The ICC has not yet responded to the latest sanctions, but global reactions are expected to be divided as questions about the court’s legitimacy and jurisdiction persist.
