Trump Announces Sanctions on International Criminal Court, Accuses It of 'Illegitimate and Baseless Actions' Against US and Israel

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of unfairly targeting the United States and Israel with its investigations.

The sanctions, which include visa restrictions and financial penalties, apply to individuals involved in ICC probes related to U.S. citizens or its allies. Trump's order states that the ICC's actions "set a dangerous precedent" and could expose U.S. military personnel and officials to harassment and prosecution.

The move comes after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant amid war crimes allegations related to Israel's military actions in Gaza. The court also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander as part of the same case.

The Trump administration accused the court of undermining national sovereignty and placing a "shameful moral equivalency" between Israel and Hamas.

"The United States unequivocally opposes and expects our allies to oppose any ICC actions against the United States, Israel, or any other ally of the United States that has not consented to ICC jurisdiction," the White House said in a statement.

The Trump administration previously sanctioned ICC officials in 2020 over an investigation into U.S. actions in Afghanistan.

The ICC, which is based in The Hague, was established in 2002 under the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. However, the U.S. and Israel declined to join the 154 signatories to the treaty and have long rejected the court's authority over their nationals.

Critics argue that Trump's latest order is an effort to shield U.S. and Israeli officials from accountability. Vincent Warren, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, called the sanctions "a direct attack on the rule of law."

Meanwhile, the ICC has defended its actions, stating it "regrets any attempts to undermine the court's independence, integrity and impartiality."