In 2020, Trump imposed sanctions on ICC officials during his first term in office. Getty Images
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), criticizing its actions as "illegitimate" and baseless. The sanctions focus on individuals linked to ICC investigations into American citizens or its allies, particularly Israel.
Trump's decision to sign the order coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington. The ICC had previously issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes related to Gaza, a claim Israel denies. The court also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander. These actions prompted outrage from the Trump administration, which argued that the ICC was unfairly targeting Israel, while ignoring other issues in the region, such as actions by Iran and anti-Israel groups.
The sanctions will impose travel bans and financial restrictions on those connected to ICC investigations. The US has long resisted ICC jurisdiction over its citizens, and this latest move underscores Trump's continued opposition to the court’s authority. Trump’s executive order further criticized the ICC’s actions as setting a dangerous precedent that could expose Americans to harassment or even arrest.
Trump’s office accused the ICC of undermining US sovereignty and the security efforts of the US and its allies, including Israel. The White House’s statement also mentioned that both the US and Israel are democracies with militaries that follow the laws of war, stressing that the ICC was unjustly placing limits on Israel's self-defense.
The ICC, based in the Netherlands, is a court of last resort, stepping in when national authorities are unable or unwilling to prosecute serious crimes. The US and Israel are not members of the court, and the US has consistently rejected any jurisdiction over American officials.
During his first term, Trump imposed sanctions on ICC officials investigating US military actions in Afghanistan. However, those sanctions were lifted when President Joe Biden took office. Additionally, last month, the US House of Representatives voted in favor of sanctioning the ICC, though the bill did not pass in the Senate.
Despite the lack of membership, the ICC is supported by over 120 countries, including several European nations. The court’s purpose is to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity when national authorities fail to do so.
This executive order comes on the heels of controversial remarks by Trump regarding Gaza. Trump has proposed a plan to "take over" Gaza, suggesting it could be turned into a major resort destination and that Palestinians would be resettled. This idea has faced significant criticism from Arab leaders and the UN. Trump clarified his position on social media, suggesting that no US soldiers would be involved and that displacement of Palestinians would be temporary, though the plan's details remain unclear.
Netanyahu, continuing his visit to Washington, has praised Trump’s approach to Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli officials are preparing for the potential voluntary departure of Gaza’s residents as part of Trump’s vision.
