Trump imposes sanctions on ICC judges over war crimes probe

The Trump administration has sanctioned four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over war crimes investigations targeting US troops.

The sanctions also respond to the ICC’s controversial warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing alleged crimes in Palestinian territories.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Thursday, June 5, 2025, calling the ICC’s actions “illegitimate and baseless.”

Rubio said the ICC had overstepped its jurisdiction by investigating US personnel and allies like Israel without their consent.

“These judges have targeted America and Israel under a politicised and flawed system,” Rubio stated in Washington.

The sanctioned ICC judges are Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Sophie Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia.

They face asset freezes, travel restrictions, and potential criminal penalties under US law if they engage in financial transactions with US entities.

The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC in 2002 to try individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Despite this, the ICC launched a probe into alleged war crimes by US military and CIA personnel in Afghanistan dating back to 2003.

In 2024, the court also issued arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, over Gaza military actions.

The move enraged Washington and Tel Aviv, both of which have called the court “biased” and “illegitimate.”

Rubio accused the ICC of being weaponised by hostile nations to undermine Western democracies and the rule of law.

He warned that further action may be taken against ICC officials if investigations continue without US consent.

Legal scholars and international observers say the sanctions set a troubling precedent in the global pursuit of justice.

Critics argue the US undermines accountability by punishing judges acting within the court’s mandate.

“This is intimidation, not diplomacy,” said Kenneth Roth, former Human Rights Watch executive, reacting to the news.

The ICC has yet to issue an official statement responding to the sanctions or outlining next steps.

Meanwhile, Israel welcomed the sanctions and said it would stand firm against what it described as “judicial warfare.”

Palestinian officials condemned the US action, accusing it of shielding alleged war criminals from legal consequences.

In 2020, the Trump administration had also sanctioned ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda over similar investigations.

The decision was reversed by the Biden administration, but tensions remained high between Washington and The Hague.

This new wave of sanctions signals a renewed hardline approach by Trump as he seeks re-election in November.

As geopolitical tensions rise, the rift between the US and global justice institutions appears deeper than ever.

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