Trump sanctions four ICC judges for targeting Israeli leaders, defending U.S. and allied sovereignty.

Executive Order Responds to Netanyahu Arrest Warrants

The Trump administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing their involvement in the court’s efforts to issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. The action follows a February 6 executive order by President Donald Trump aimed at defending U.S. and Israeli sovereignty against what officials have described as politically motivated investigations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions against Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. The judges were directly involved in the ICC’s decision to pursue charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

“These individuals directly engaged in efforts by the International Criminal Court to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute nationals of the United States or Israel, without consent from the United States or Israel,” said Rubio.

Trump’s executive order was issued in response to the ICC’s May 2024 arrest warrants accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the context of Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.

U.S. Rejects ICC’s Jurisdiction Over Israel, Americans

The administration contends that the ICC is acting outside its legitimate authority. “The ICC is politicized and falsely claims unfettered discretion to investigate, charge, and prosecute nationals of the United States and our allies,” Rubio said. “This dangerous assertion and abuse of power infringes upon the sovereignty and national security of the United States and our allies, including Israel.”

He further stated that the United States will take “whatever actions we deem necessary” to shield its interests from what he called illegitimate legal threats posed by the ICC. Rubio criticized the court as a vehicle for political retaliation and urged its member states to oppose what he labeled a “disgraceful attack” on democratic nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the administration’s action. “Thank you President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio for imposing sanctions against the politicized judges of the ICC,” he posted on social media. “You have justly stood up for the right of Israel, the United States, and all democracies to defend themselves against savage terror.”

The ICC was established to prosecute serious international crimes in cases where national courts are unwilling or unable to act. Israel is not a member of the court, and the ICC lacks enforcement power, relying instead on member state cooperation to execute arrest warrants.

The administration’s decision underscores its broader policy of challenging international institutions it views as infringing on U.S. and allied sovereignty. The sanctions mark a rare but direct confrontation between a major world power and the ICC’s judiciary.