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The Trump administration has moved to sanction two senior officials at the International Criminal Court, intensifying its broader effort to weaken an institution that has pursued investigations into alleged American military conduct in Afghanistan and issued warrants for Israeli leadership regarding Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions targeting ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and the court’s chief prosecutor, Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, characterizing the organization as “corrupt and fatally politicized.”
Rubio stated that both officials “have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction,” asserting that the court “has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate.” The financial penalties will block assets held within U.S. jurisdictions and effectively prevent these individuals from conducting transactions involving American financial systems.
An executive order signed by Trump in February 2025 established the legal framework authorizing these sanctions. The administration contends that the ICC lacks authority to investigate military personnel, commanders, and political figures from nations that have not ratified the Rome Statute, a category that includes both the United States and Israel.
The ICC responded by asserting the sanctions “undermine the rule of law” and constitute “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.” The court maintains it possesses jurisdiction over nationals of non-member states when accused of crimes committed within territories of member nations, citing Afghanistan and Palestine as grounds for investigating alleged American and Israeli actions.
Rubio vowed the administration’s campaign would be “sweeping,” expressing confidence that additional nations would curtail funding and participation in what he characterized as an “unaccountable court.” The ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in September 2024.
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