President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating tensions over the court's investigations into U.S. and Israeli militaries.
The sanctions target ICC officials, agents, and their immediate family members, potentially barring them from entering the U.S. and blocking their assets.
Trump's order comes in direct response to the court's arrest warrants issued in November against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
In a strongly worded executive order, Trump accused the ICC of "illegitimate and baseless actions" against the U.S. and its ally Israel.
Trump argued that the court has overstepped its jurisdiction by investigating U.S. and Israeli military personnel.
The ICC, the world's only permanent international criminal court, can prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Despite this mandate, Trump maintains that the court's actions threatened democratic nations militaries.
"Neither country has ever recognized the ICC's jurisdiction," the order states.
The court quickly condemned Trump's sanctions, asserting its commitment to providing "justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities."
The ICC's statement called on global nations to unite in support of fundamental human rights.
The sanctions come amid intense international scrutiny of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in significant Palestinian civilian casualties.
Since the Hamas October 7 terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, Palestinian health authorities report over 47,300 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children.
While 125 countries, including Canada, Britain, and Australia, recognize the ICC, the U.S. and Israel are not signatories to the court.
Countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea also oppose the court's work.
During a recent White House news conference, Trump went further, controversially suggesting the U.S. should "take over" Gaza.
The ICC's arrest warrants can carry significant diplomatic weight, potentially stigmatizing senior leaders and risking their arrest in signatory countries.
However, Trump expects U.S. allies to resist any ICC actions against American or Israeli personnel.