Trump Reinstates Sanctions on ICC Over Actions Against U.S. and Israel
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday reinstating sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), targeting the institution and its senior officials if they attempt to prosecute Americans or U.S. allies.The move reverses the policy of President Joe Biden, who had lifted Trump's initial sanctions on the ICC. Biden’s decision had enabled the court to pursue legal actions against American and Israeli leaders, culminating in an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a statement accompanying his order, Trump condemned the ICC’s actions as illegitimate and politically motivated:
"I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the International Criminal Court (ICC), as established by the Rome Statute, has engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel. The ICC has, without a legitimate basis, asserted jurisdiction over and opened preliminary investigations concerning personnel of the United States and certain of its allies, including Israel, and has further abused its power by issuing baseless arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. The ICC has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel, as neither country is party to the Rome Statute or a member of the ICC. Neither country has ever recognized the ICC’s jurisdiction, and both nations are thriving democracies with militaries that strictly adhere to the laws of war."
Trump warned that the ICC’s actions set a dangerous precedent, putting U.S. and allied personnel at risk of harassment and arrest while undermining national security and foreign policy objectives.
The executive order reestablishes punitive measures against ICC officials, including potential asset freezes and travel bans affecting them and their families. The U.S. expects its allies to oppose any ICC actions against nations that have not consented to its jurisdiction.
The decision coincided with Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C., and was seen as a significant diplomatic signal, particularly amid threats from some Western nations—including Canada—to enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant against him.