The United States government under President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The administration stated the action was in response to the judges’ “illegitimate and baseless actions” targeting the US and its allies, including Israel.
The sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, June 5, 2025, block the judges’ property and assets within the US. US-based entities are also prohibited from financial transactions with them. This move follows previous threats and actions taken by the Trump administration against the ICC.
US Targets ICC Judges
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a written statement accusing the ICC of being “politicized” and falsely claiming broad discretion to investigate and prosecute nationals of the United States and its allies. Rubio stated this assertion infringes upon the sovereignty and national security of the US and its partners, including Israel.
The four judges named in the sanctions are Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia.
According to a State Department fact sheet, Judges Bossa and Ibanez Carranza were sanctioned for their role in authorizing an investigation into alleged actions by US troops and CIA members in Afghanistan in 2020. This investigation was related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan and at “secret detention facilities” elsewhere.
Judges Alapini Gansou and Hohler were reportedly sanctioned for their involvement in proceedings related to Israeli leaders. This followed the ICC’s decision in November 2024 to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes in Gaza.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks at a press conference in Washington, DC
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks in Washington, DC, on June 3.
ICC Responds to Sanctions
The International Criminal Court quickly issued its own statement deploring the US administration’s decision and expressing support for its judges.
The ICC described the measures as a “clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution.” The court highlighted that it operates under the mandate of 125 member states. It added that targeting those working for accountability does not help civilians in conflict and only “emboldens those who believe they can act with impunity.”
Background and Context
The US is not a state party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, and has historically argued that its citizens and military personnel are not subject to the court’s jurisdiction. Israel is also not a member state.
The ICC’s decision to authorize an investigation into Afghanistan in 2020 came after a previous request had been blocked. Afghanistan is a member of the Rome Statute. The Trump administration at the time strongly opposed this decision, calling the court a “political institution.”
Regarding the situation in Palestine, which is an ICC member state, the court has been examining alleged crimes since 2015. The November 2024 decision to seek warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant followed accusations of alleged human rights abuses during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Proceedings related to the situation in the State of Palestine are ongoing.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has imposed restrictions related to the ICC. Shortly after beginning his second term, President Trump issued a broad executive order threatening sanctions against anyone participating in ICC investigations targeting the US or its allies. Under this order, the US sanctioned ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who had requested the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. Khan later stepped away from his role amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
During his first term, Trump’s administration also denied or revoked visas for ICC officials involved in the Afghanistan probe and sanctioned then-prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and another official in 2020. Those sanctions were reversed under President Joe Biden.
Critics warn that repeated US actions against the ICC could weaken the court’s ability to function effectively, as it relies on member states’ cooperation to enforce decisions like arrest warrants. The ICC has previously warned that threats and sanctions undermine the court.
Conclusion
The latest US sanctions against four ICC judges highlight the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the international court, particularly concerning investigations into US and Israeli actions. The US justifies its actions by citing concerns over sovereignty and alleged politicization of the court, while the ICC defends its independence and mandate to ensure accountability for international crimes.
For more on the history and implications of the US stance towards the ICC, explore The US v the ICC: Why is Trump going after the court? and ICC calls for an end to threats against the court.
