WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on February 6, 2025, accusing the court of engaging in “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the United States and its close ally, Israel. This decision follows the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Trump's order stipulates that financial and travel sanctions will target ICC officials and their families, asserting that the court has no jurisdiction over the U.S. or Israel and that its actions threaten American sovereignty. The executive order aims to impose “tangible and significant consequences” on individuals involved in these investigations, potentially freezing assets and barring entry into the U.S.(AP News)

The ICC, situated in The Hague, has been a longstanding advocate for justice concerning serious international crimes including war crimes and genocide. In its response to the sanctions, the ICC condemned Trump’s order, claiming it would undermine its ability to fulfill its judicial mandate and expose its officials to harassment and threats. The court emphasized the critical role it plays in ensuring accountability for atrocities worldwide, and it called for international unity in support of its independence.(CBS News)

International reaction has been swift, with officials from numerous countries expressing their discontent. A joint statement from 79 nations, including key U.S. allies like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, decried the sanctions, warning that they could increase the risk of impunity for serious crimes and weaken the global legal framework.(ABC News)

Furthermore, human rights advocates have argued that the sanctions could deter the ICC from conducting vital investigations and undermine international efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for human rights violations, particularly in the context of conflicts involving U.S. allies.(The Guardian)

This executive order represents a continuation of Trump's previous critiques of the ICC, as he had sanctioned former chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in 2020 over her inquiry into alleged war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan during his first term. Despite the ICC's critique of U.S. actions, Trump’s administration maintains that the court's current investigations are politically motivated and unfounded.(New York Times)

As tensions rise regarding the ICC's jurisdiction and actions, the international community watches closely for the implications these sanctions will have on the court’s operations and broader global justice efforts.(Reuters)