U.S. Sanctions Four ICC Officials Over War Crimes Probes

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The administration of President Donald Trump has escalated its confrontation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) by imposing sanctions on four officials accused of targeting American and Israeli nationals in war crimes investigations.

The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday that two ICC judges and two prosecutors were added to its sanctions list, blocking them from accessing any assets under U.S. jurisdiction. The move marks the latest step in Washington’s campaign against the Hague-based tribunal, which it says has exceeded its mandate by pursuing cases involving U.S. and Israeli leaders.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio named Judge Kimberly Prost of Canada, Judge Nicolas Guillou of France, Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji, and Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal as the individuals subject to the new restrictions.

“These individuals are foreign persons who directly engaged in efforts by the International Criminal Court to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute nationals of the United States or Israel, without the consent of either nation,” Rubio said in a statement. He pledged that the administration would continue taking “whatever actions we deem necessary to protect our troops, our sovereignty, and our allies from the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions.”

According to the State Department, Prost was sanctioned for her ruling that authorized an ICC probe into alleged U.S. actions in Afghanistan, though the case was later dropped. Guillou was penalized for supporting arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. Khan and Niang were targeted for their roles in maintaining investigations into Israel’s conduct in Gaza, including upholding the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.

The Trump administration argues that the ICC has no jurisdiction over U.S. nationals, as the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute. This treaty established the International Criminal Court (ICC). Officials also contend that the ICC’s actions against Israel undermine the sovereignty of democratic nations defending themselves against terrorism.

This latest action continues a long-running clash between Washington and the ICC. During Trump’s first term, his administration imposed sanctions on the court’s former chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, and several judges. Those measures were lifted in 2021 by President Joe Biden, who sought to reset relations with the tribunal.

The renewed sanctions underscore Washington’s determination to shield U.S. personnel and allies from international legal challenges. Founded in 2002, the ICC is the world’s first permanent international war crimes court, with cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international law.

With Wednesday’s announcement, the United States reinforced its stance against ICC investigations into American and Israeli officials, underscoring a policy that has shaped its opposition to the court for more than two decades.