The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has become the first individual targeted under U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly authorized sanctions against the court. These measures, which include asset freezes and travel bans, are part of Washington’s broader crackdown on ICC investigations involving American citizens and allied nations, including Israel.
According to sources briefed on the matter, Khan, a British national, was named in a confidential annex to an executive order signed by Trump. The order, issued a day prior, directs Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in consultation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to compile a list of individuals subject to sanctions within 60 days.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, strongly condemned the sanctions, vowing to continue its mission of prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. In a statement, the court reaffirmed its commitment to justice and its staff’s protection. The sanctions could have severe implications for the court’s operations, particularly in ongoing investigations.
A coalition of 79 ICC member countries warned that the U.S. sanctions risk promoting impunity for serious crimes while eroding international law. Their joint statement highlighted concerns that the sanctions could force the court to shut down field offices, undermining its ability to carry out investigations effectively.
The United Nations also weighed in, stressing that Khan should still be able to travel to the U.S. under its headquarters agreement with Washington. U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq emphasized the importance of international criminal law and the ICC’s independence in pursuing justice.
“The International Criminal Court is an essential element in the fight against impunity and must be allowed to function without interference,” Haq stated.
Trump’s executive order comes at a time when the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu, visiting Washington, praised Trump’s decision, calling the ICC a “scandalous” institution that threatens democratic nations’ right to self-defense.
This move marks Trump’s renewed opposition to the ICC, mirroring actions taken during his first term when he sanctioned ICC officials probing alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan. The latest decision underscores ongoing tensions between Washington and international legal bodies, raising questions about global accountability and justice.
