Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), declaring it an “illegitimate” institution. A senior U.S. official confirmed the move, which follows the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The executive order came just two days after Trump met with Netanyahu, signaling a strong U.S. stance against the international tribunal. This is not the first time Trump has taken action against the ICC; during his previous term, he imposed sanctions on the court after it launched an investigation into alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan. The sanctions were later revoked by former President Joe Biden.
According to BBC reports, Trump justified his decision by claiming that the ICC unfairly targets the United States and its allies, particularly Israel. “The ICC is illegitimate. It is taking baseless actions against the United States and our close ally, Israel,” Trump stated after signing the order.
The executive order authorizes economic and visa sanctions against individuals who assist the ICC in its investigations against U.S. citizens and allies. This includes members of the ICC and their families, aiming to deter cooperation with the tribunal.
The order further argues that the ICC has set a “dangerous precedent” by attempting to exercise jurisdiction over non-member states, posing a direct threat to U.S. nationals. The U.S. has consistently rejected the ICC’s authority over its citizens, maintaining that the court lacks jurisdiction over countries that have not ratified the Rome Statute.
Liberty News’ international correspondent states that the sanctions mark a renewed phase of U.S. resistance against the ICC, intensifying diplomatic tensions over the court’s role in international justice.
LND/BAIZID
