In a dramatic escalation of tensions with international judicial bodies, the Trump administration on Thursday announced sanctions against four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges over investigations into alleged war crimes by the United States and Israel.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a sharply worded statement, accusing the ICC of “politicized and illegitimate conduct” that undermines the sovereignty of the United States and its closest ally, Israel.
Who Was Sanctioned?
The four sanctioned judges are:
- Solomy Balungi Bossa – Uganda
- Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza – Peru
- Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou – Benin
- Beti Hohler – Slovenia
According to the US State Department, Bossa and Carranza were sanctioned for authorizing a 2020 investigation into US military actions in Afghanistan. Gansou and Hohler were targeted for their role in the ICC’s recent arrest warrants against Israeli officials over war crimes in Gaza.
Details of the Sanctions
The sanctions will block the judges’ assets in the United States and bar any US person or entity from providing them with financial or material support. These measures include a ban on the provision of services, including legal or logistical support.
Rubio declared, “The ICC falsely claims unfettered discretion to prosecute nationals of democracies that follow the rule of law. We will not tolerate threats to our personnel or allies.”
ICC’s Response
The ICC issued a statement condemning the move: “These measures are a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution.” The Court emphasized that it operates with the mandate of over 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute.
“Targeting those working for accountability emboldens those who act with impunity,” the ICC stated.
Background: The Afghanistan and Gaza Probes
In 2020, the ICC authorized a long-delayed probe into US military conduct in Afghanistan, including the alleged use of torture in CIA black sites. Afghanistan is a signatory to the Rome Statute, giving the ICC jurisdiction.
Israel, however, is not a signatory — but Palestine is. In 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of orchestrating deliberate attacks on civilians during the war in Gaza, which has killed over 54,000 Palestinians.
Trump’s Longstanding Hostility Toward the ICC
This is not the first time Donald Trump has used sanctions to fight back against the ICC. During his first term, he revoked visas of ICC officials and in 2020 sanctioned then-prosecutor Fatou Bensouda over the same Afghan investigation.
Now in his second term, Trump signed a new executive order in January 2025 that threatens sanctions against any entity cooperating with ICC probes targeting the US or its allies. This includes human rights lawyers and NGOs who supply testimony or evidence.
“The ICC is a political tool masquerading as a legal body,” Trump said at a campaign-style rally earlier this year.
Global Repercussions and Human Rights Reactions
Legal experts and rights groups have condemned the sanctions as “judicial intimidation.” Amnesty International warned the move could deter witnesses from coming forward and hamper global efforts to ensure accountability for war crimes.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has also raised concerns, stating that actions to silence judges and prosecutors violate basic tenets of international law and due process.
Meanwhile, the ICC continues to call on its member nations to uphold their obligations under the Rome Statute and ignore politically motivated threats.
Conclusion: What This Means for Global Justice
The Trump administration’s targeting of ICC officials reflects a broader geopolitical shift, where great powers increasingly challenge international norms when their own interests are at stake. As the ICC faces growing political pressure, its ability to hold powerful nations accountable is under unprecedented strain.
📌 Internal Link Suggestions:
- ICC’s Arrest Warrants Against Israeli Leaders Explained
- Trump’s Foreign Policy in His Second Term: Isolation or Power Move?
🗝️ SEO Keywords:
Trump ICC sanctions 2025, US sanctions ICC judges, ICC Israel Gaza war crimes, Trump foreign policy 2025, Rome Statute ICC jurisdiction, Marco Rubio ICC judges
