Sanctions imposed by U.S. on ICC
MULTILATERAL ORGANISATIONS
18 SEPTEMBER 2025
- U.S. President Donald J. Trump imposed sanctions by Executive Order 14203 on February 6, 2025 declaring that the ICC has engaged in “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”
- It provides for sanctions on ICC officials who investigate or act against U.S. personnel or allies as well as individuals providing “material, financial, or technological support” to such ICC activities.
- Sanctioned persons lose access to U.S. assets, visa privileges. This may limit travel, funding, coordination.
Sanctioned Individuals
- Karim Khan, the ICC Chief Prosecutor, was designated under these sanctions.
- In June 2025 four ICC judges were sanctioned under the same executive order.
- In August 2025, the U.S. expanded sanctions to two judges and two deputy prosecutors of ICC
Reasoning & U.S. Justification
- The U.S. argues that ICC investigations into U.S. personnel and allies (particularly Israel) are without legitimate jurisdiction because the U.S. is not a party to the Rome Statute (the treaty that established the ICC).
- It’s presented as protecting U.S. sovereignty and ensuring that decisions not consenting to ICC jurisdiction are respected.
