Trump blocks international court from investigating Americans

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President Donald Trump faced strong criticism from the International Criminal Court (ICC) after implementing an executive order that imposes sanctions on the organization and its high-ranking officials who attempt to prosecute Americans or U.S. allies.

The executive order claims the ICC has conducted “illegitimate and baseless actions” against both the United States and Israel, criticizing the court for issuing what it termed “baseless” arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, comparing their treatment to that of Hamas terrorists.

The timing of the order coincided with Netanyahu’s Washington, DC visit, providing reassurance amid threats of arrest from various western nations, including Canada, based on the ICC warrant.

Correct stance:

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa on Friday blasted U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose aggressive economic sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC)https://t.co/D6WDDt9cGe

— Time for a European Federation -Yannis Karamitsios (@time_for_ef) February 7, 2025

The ICC released a formal response to Trump’s action:

> The ICC condemns the issuance by the US of an Executive Order seeking to impose sanctions on its officials and harm its independent and impartial judicial work. The Court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world, in all Situations before it.

> We call on our 125 States Parties, civil society and all nations of the world to stand united for justice and fundamental human rights.

Under the new executive order, ICC officials and their family members who assist in investigating U.S. citizens and allies face both financial restrictions and travel bans.

Trump was spot on when it came to the ICC

“The ICC has no jurisdiction. No legitimacy and no authority and it violates all principles of justice, fairness, and due-process.” pic.twitter.com/eWoFVtDUHh

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 20, 2024

This isn’t Trump’s first action against the ICC. In June 2020, he issued Executive Order 13928, implementing sanctions on ICC personnel investigating U.S. and allied forces’ military actions against terrorists.

When President Biden assumed office, he swiftly reversed Trump’s previous order. The Biden administration, promoting their “America is back” message, sought to strengthen the ICC’s position and authority through diplomatic engagement.

While the ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, counts more than 120 nations among its members, including the UK and numerous European countries, neither the United States nor Israel are signatories to the court.