President Donald Trump has authorized sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to its recent actions against Israeli officials, igniting a fierce debate on international justice and sovereignty.
At a Glance
- Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC due to alleged bias against Israel and the U.S.
- The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant
- The U.S. and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute that established the ICC
- The Senate failed to pass a bill sanctioning the ICC, despite House approval
- Critics argue the sanctions undermine international justice, while supporters see them as protecting national interests
Trump’s Executive Order: Protecting U.S. and Israeli Interests
On February 6, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move came in response to the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, relating to actions in Gaza following a Hamas attack.
“The ICC’s recent actions against Israel and the United States set a dangerous precedent, directly endangering current and former United States personnel, including active service members of the Armed Forces, by exposing them to harassment, abuse, and possible arrest,” Trump said. “This malign conduct in turn threatens to infringe upon the sovereignty of the United States and undermines the critical national security and foreign policy work of the United States Government and our allies, including Israel.”
Implications of the Sanctions
The Executive Order allows the U.S. to sanction individuals involved in ICC investigations without the consent of the person’s country of nationality. These sanctions can affect their entry into the U.S. and their assets within the country. Additionally, family members of sanctioned individuals could also face repercussions, and assisting sanctioned individuals is prohibited.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been tasked with reporting to the President by April 7 on who should be sanctioned. This move marks a return to a hardline stance against the ICC, reminiscent of Trump’s previous sanctions imposed in 2020, which were later lifted by President Joe Biden in 2021.
ICC’s Response and Reactions
The ICC has criticized the Executive Order, claiming it undermines its independent judicial work. The Court accused Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including starvation and murder. Both Israeli officials have vehemently rejected these accusations, arguing that they undermine Israel’s right to self-defense and encourage terrorism.
In addition, 79 countries published a letter condemning Trump’s sanctions against the ICC.
The U.S. Senate recently failed to pass a bill to sanction the ICC, despite its previous bipartisan approval in the House. Most Democrats opposed the bill, citing concerns over its broad scope and potential impact on American businesses. This legislative setback highlights the complex nature of the issue and the lack of consensus among U.S. lawmakers on how to address the ICC’s influence.
“I support legislation to push back on their bias against Israel, and voted on this bill in the House — but in recent weeks, our U.S. businesses and allies have raised serious concerns over the text of the bill,” Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said.
