Trump Sanctions ICC Judges Over War Crimes Probes

Friday 06 June 2025 - 08:01

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump Sanctions ICC Judges Over War Crimes Probes

The Trump administration has moved forward with sanctions against four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing them of pursuing politically motivated actions against the United States and its allies.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong statement condemning the ICC, arguing that the court wrongly assumes it has unlimited power to investigate and prosecute U.S. and allied nationals, which he said threatens national sovereignty and security—particularly that of the U.S. and Israel.

The targeted judges are Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza (Peru), Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou (Benin), and Beti Hohler (Slovenia). As part of the sanctions, any assets they hold in the U.S. will be frozen, and American individuals or entities are barred from doing business with them.

In response, the ICC defended its independence, calling the sanctions an attempt to weaken the court and a disservice to civilians suffering from conflict, adding that such pressure only encourages impunity.

According to the U.S. State Department, Judges Bossa and Ibanez Carranza were sanctioned for supporting an investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. forces and CIA operatives in Afghanistan. Although the ICC initially rejected a request to investigate, it later approved the probe, as Afghanistan is a signatory to the Rome Statute that grants the ICC jurisdiction.

Judges Alapini Gansou and Hohler, meanwhile, were penalized for their roles in proceedings that led to arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, over alleged war crimes in Gaza. These actions were based on accusations of intentional attacks on civilians and violations of international law during Israel’s military campaign, which has drawn comparisons to genocide by UN experts.

Trump has long criticized the ICC, asserting that neither the U.S. nor Israel is subject to its authority, as they are not signatories to the Rome Statute. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump issued an executive order threatening sanctions against anyone involved in ICC investigations, especially after the Gaza-related warrants.

Under this order, the U.S. previously sanctioned ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, slowing investigations, though Khan later stepped down due to unrelated misconduct allegations. Trump’s actions echo previous moves from his first term, such as revoking visas and imposing sanctions on ICC officials investigating U.S. activities.

Critics warn that these continued attacks on the ICC may damage the institution’s long-term ability to function and enforce international law, undermining global efforts toward accountability and justice.