President Donald Trump has signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court, accusing it of "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel". The sanctions target individuals assisting the ICC in its probes into American citizens or allied nations, affecting them financially and restricting their visas, as well as extending to their family members.

 

A White House fact sheet circulated earlier on Thursday accused the Hague-based ICC of creating a "shameful moral equivalency" between Hamas and Israel by issuing the warrants at the same time. Trump's executive order said the ICC's recent actions "set a dangerous precedent" that endangered Americans by exposing them to "harassment, abuse and possible arrest".

 

"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," the order said.

 

It adds that "both nations [the US and Israel] are thriving democracies with militaries that strictly adhere to the laws of war". The US is not a member of the ICC and has repeatedly rejected any jurisdiction by the body over American officials or citizens.

 

This action follows the ICC’s decision last year to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with other Israeli and Hamas officials. In an effort to counter the court’s actions, Senate Republicans recently introduced a bill to sanction the ICC, but it was blocked by Senate Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the legislation, describing it as "poorly drafted" and "deeply problematic."  

 

This is not the first time Trump has taken measures against the ICC. During his first presidency, in June 2020, he imposed sanctions on senior officials of the court as it investigated allegations of war crimes committed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Trump administration accused the ICC of undermining U.S. national sovereignty, with Trump warning that any individuals supporting the investigation would "risk exposure to sanctions" themselves.

 

The order granted the U.S. authority to freeze the assets of ICC employees and deny them entry into the country. The ICC denounced the move, calling it an attack on international justice and the rule of law.  

 

These sanctions remained in place until April 2021, when they were lifted by the Biden administration. Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the time criticized the sanctions, calling them "inappropriate and ineffective," and advocated for greater cooperation with the ICC.

 

Based on a report by BBC 2025-02-08

 

 

Another good move by Trump.

 

It was inevitable as soon as the ICC made this incredibly stupid move.

 

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This action follows the ICC’s decision last year to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with other Israeli and Hamas officials.