Trump sanctions International Criminal Court, calls it 'illegitimate'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). The order accused the ICC of taking "illegal and unfounded actions" against the United States and its close ally, Israel. This move marks a further escalation of tensions between the United States and the International Criminal Court.

The sanctions will impose financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist the ICC in investigating U.S. citizens or allies. Trump signed the order while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Washington. Last November, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for a Hamas commander.

The International Criminal Court is a global court with the power to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. In recent years, the court has also issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin (for alleged war crimes in Ukraine), Taliban leaders (for allegedly "persecuting Afghan girls and women"), and Myanmar military leaders (for alleged crimes against Rohingya Muslims). More than 120 countries, including the United Kingdom and many European nations, are members of the court, but the United States and Israel are not.

The Netherlands, where the International Criminal Court is located, expressed "regret" over Trump's order. Dutch Foreign Minister Kajsa Ollongren stated on social media platform X: "The work of the International Criminal Court is essential to combating impunity." A memorandum released by the White House on Thursday accused the International Criminal Court, located in The Hague, of creating a "shameful moral equivalence" by simultaneously issuing arrest warrants for Hamas and Israel.

Trump's executive order stated that the ICC's recent actions "set a dangerous precedent" and expose Americans to the risk of "harassment, abuse, and possible arrest." "Such malicious acts, in turn, threaten the sovereignty of the United States and undermine the critical national security and foreign policy work of the United States government and its allies, including Israel," the order said. The United States is not a member of the International Criminal Court and has repeatedly rejected the institution's jurisdiction over any U.S. officials or citizens.

The White House accused the International Criminal Court of restricting Israel's right to self-defense while ignoring Iran and anti-Israel groups. During his first term as president, Trump imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court officials who were investigating whether U.S. forces had committed war crimes in Afghanistan. These sanctions have been lifted by President Joe Biden's administration. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to sanction the International Criminal Court, but the bill stalled in the Senate.

Trump's executive order stated that "both countries (the United States and Israel) are thriving democracies whose militaries strictly adhere to the laws of war." President Biden also criticized the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Netanyahu in the final weeks of his term, calling the move "outrageous" and stating that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.

Prior to signing the latest executive order, Trump announced a plan at a joint press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister on Tuesday for the U.S. to "take over" Gaza, resettle its Palestinian population, and turn the region into the "Middle East's Riviera." After Arab leaders and the United Nations condemned the idea, the U.S. President reiterated the idea on his Truth Social media platform on Thursday. Trump wrote, "After the fighting is over, the Gaza Strip will be handed over to the United States by Israel," referring to the war between Israel and Hamas, which is currently under a ceasefire.

He reiterated that the plan would involve resettling Palestinians and that no U.S. soldiers would be deployed. His post did not explicitly state whether the 2 million residents of the Palestinian territory would be invited to return, forcing officials to scramble to explain. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that any displacement would be temporary. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Gazans would leave "temporarily" during reconstruction. Netanyahu praised Trump's "extraordinary" plan to rebuild Gaza. On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to prepare for the "voluntary departure" of Gaza residents. He said the plan would include leaving by land, sea, and air.

Netanyahu continued his visit to Washington while Trump signed the order, meeting with members of Congress from both the Republican and Democratic parties on Capitol Hill. The Israeli Prime Minister also presented Trump with a golden pager. The gift refers to Israel's deadly operation against Hezbollah last September, which used booby-trapped communications equipment. According to Lebanese officials, dozens were killed and thousands injured in the attack, including some civilians.