US Sanctions ICC Judges Probing Claims of US, Israel War Crimes/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. sanctioned four International Criminal Court officials for pursuing alleged war crimes cases against American and Israeli nationals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move protects U.S. sovereignty and allies against “illegitimate” ICC actions. The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets and continue Trump’s long-running battle with the tribunal.
US Sanctions ICC Officials: Quick Looks
- New Sanctions: Four ICC officials hit with U.S. asset freezes.
- Targeted Officials: Judges Kimberly Proust (Canada), Nicolas Guillou (France); prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji), Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal).
- Reason: Pursued probes into alleged U.S. and Israeli war crimes.
- Past Moves: Builds on sanctions against ex-chief prosecutor Karim Khan and others.
- Focus Cases: Afghanistan probe of U.S. personnel; Gaza war crimes cases involving Netanyahu and Gallant.
- Rubio’s Stance: ICC called “illegitimate and baseless” against U.S. sovereignty.
- Trump’s History: ICC first sanctioned during Trump’s first term.
- Policy Shift: Biden rescinded earlier sanctions in 2021 — Trump reinstating them.
Deep Look: Trump Administration Sanctions More ICC Judges, Prosecutors Over War Crimes Probes
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has escalated its confrontation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), announcing fresh sanctions on four officials — two judges and two prosecutors — for pursuing alleged war crimes cases against Americans and Israelis.
New Sanctions Announced
The State Department confirmed Wednesday that the sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets belonging to the targeted officials. The move underscores Washington’s long-standing position that the ICC has no jurisdiction over nationals of the United States or its close ally Israel.
In his statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the administration would take “whatever actions we deem necessary to protect our troops, our sovereignty, and our allies from the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions.”
Who Was Targeted?
The four ICC officials sanctioned include:
- Judge Kimberly Proust (Canada): Penalized for her ruling that authorized an ICC investigation into U.S. military actions in Afghanistan.
- Judge Nicolas Guillou (France): Sanctioned for authorizing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for actions linked to the Gaza conflict.
- Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji): Targeted for continuing investigations into Israel’s conduct during the Gaza war.
- Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal): Also sanctioned for advancing probes and upholding ICC warrants against top Israeli leaders.
ICC Cases Driving US Retaliation
The United States — which is not a member of the ICC — has consistently opposed attempts by the tribunal to investigate its military personnel or Israeli officials.
- The Afghanistan investigation, launched in 2020, sought to examine alleged abuses by U.S. forces. While eventually dropped, Washington has kept pressure on judges who supported it.
- The Gaza-related probes have escalated tensions. Earlier this year, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant over alleged war crimes tied to Israel’s offensive against Hamas.
Continuity from Trump’s First Term
This is not the first time Trump has targeted the Hague-based court. During his first presidential term, the administration imposed sanctions on ICC officials, branding the court as a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
Those measures were rescinded by President Joe Biden in 2021, who sought to restore cooperation with international institutions. The reinstatement of sanctions marks a return to Trump’s hardline stance, now even broader as U.S.-ICC tensions sharpen over Gaza and Ukraine.
Broader Implications
The latest sanctions highlight a widening rift between Washington and The Hague. Human rights advocates warn that penalizing international judges undermines the independence of global justice mechanisms.
Still, the administration argues the ICC’s efforts are politically motivated and threaten U.S. service members and Israeli officials engaged in lawful defense.
The move may complicate U.S. relations with European allies, many of whom back the ICC as a critical tool for accountability in global conflicts.
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