The United States has imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan. Washington also sanctioned ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal on Tuesday. The move marks another escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign against the Hague-based court.
US officials have accused the International Criminal Court of becoming “politicized” and exceeding its authority.
However, the ICC rejected the measures and warned that they threaten the international legal order.
Why Did the US Sanction ICC Officials?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the targeted officials were involved in ICC efforts against foreign officials.
He said those officials belonged to governments that had not accepted the court’s jurisdiction.
“These individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction,” Rubio said.
The latest sanctions form part of Washington’s broader opposition to the ICC and its investigations. The United States is not a party to the international treaty that created the court.
Nevertheless, Washington signed the Rome Statute, although it never ratified the treaty.
ICC Warns of Risks to International Law
The International Criminal Court strongly criticised the latest US sanctions against its officials. The court said the measures could have consequences beyond the individuals directly affected.
“When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk,” the ICC said.
The court maintains that its officials must be able to carry out their judicial responsibilities independently. Therefore, the sanctions have added further tension between Washington and the international institution.
What Do the Sanctions Mean?
The US measures prevent targeted individuals from entering the United States. They also restrict their ability to conduct transactions through the US financial system.
Washington has already imposed similar sanctions against several ICC officials. The latest action therefore expands an existing pressure campaign against the court.
The dispute has largely focused on ICC investigations involving Israel, a close US ally. In 2024, the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The warrant concerned alleged crimes linked to Israel’s war in Gaza.
The United States has strongly opposed the ICC’s actions involving Israeli officials. Meanwhile, the court continues to defend its authority to investigate alleged international crimes.
Washington Steps Up Pressure on ICC
The latest sanctions follow a broader diplomatic campaign launched by Washington against the ICC. The United States has accused the court of threatening Americans and criticised its jurisdiction.
Washington has also called on partner countries to withdraw from the institution. Chad and Venezuela have already announced moves to leave the court.
The ICC expressed concern about those withdrawals and warned about their wider implications. According to the court, such decisions could weaken collective efforts to pursue accountability.
The United States, Israel and Russia have different relationships with the ICC. The United States signed the Rome Statute but never ratified it. Israel and Russia, meanwhile, are not members of the court.
Rubio Defends the US Position
Rubio defended Washington’s latest action in a strongly worded statement. He accused the ICC of abusing its authority and interfering with national sovereignty.
“The Trump Administration has been clear: the International Criminal Court is a corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court that has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate. We will not tolerate its assault on state sovereignty,” Rubio’s statement said.
The statement reflects the administration’s longstanding opposition to ICC investigations involving US allies.
However, the court has continued to assert its independence and legal mandate.
Human Rights Groups Challenge US Sanctions
The dispute has also moved into the US legal system. Four human rights groups sued President Donald Trump in a New York court last week.
The groups challenged sanctions imposed against ICC officials. They argued that the measures could prevent war-crime victims from seeking justice through the court.
The legal challenge adds another layer to the growing confrontation between Washington and the ICC. At the same time, the sanctions have intensified debate over international justice and state sovereignty.
ICC Has Also Targeted Russian Leadership
The confrontation surrounding the ICC extends beyond the Gaza conflict. In 2023, the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The warrant related to the war in Ukraine.
Russia responded by issuing its own arrest warrants for senior ICC officials. Consequently, the court has faced opposition from several powerful states over its investigations.
The latest US sanctions against Tomoko Akane and Abdoulaye Seye now deepen that pressure. For the ICC, the central issue remains its ability to operate independently. For Washington, however, the dispute centres on sovereignty and the limits of the court’s jurisdiction.
The latest developments show that tensions between the United States and the International Criminal Court remain far from resolved.
