US sanctions ICC president in latest bid to dismantle court

The Trump administration on Tuesday imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, escalating Washington's campaign to dismantle the Hague-based tribunal. The ICC responded by saying the measures "undermine the rule of law."

Rubio Declares ICC 'Corrupt and Fatally Politicized'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designations, accusing both officials of direct involvement in ICC efforts to "investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction." Rubio called the ICC "a corrupt and fatally politicized supranational court that has maliciously abused its authority and exceeded its mandate," adding, "We will not tolerate its assault on state sovereignty."reuters+2

The sanctions were issued under Executive Order 14203, which Trump signed on February 6, 2025, declaring a "national emergency" in response to the ICC's actions targeting the United States and Israel. Akane and Seye are the 11th and 12th ICC officials designated under the order, joining former Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and eight judges previously sanctioned.al-monitor+1

The measures freeze any US-based assets and effectively sever the individuals from the US financial system. The Treasury Department issued a general license allowing transactions involving Akane to wind down through September 17.reuters

ICC Responds: 'We Will Not Be Deterred'

The ICC pushed back hours after the announcement. "When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk," the court said in a statement. The ICC added that it remained "undeterred" and "stands firmly behind its personnel and behind victims of unimaginable atrocities."ndtv

The sanctions are largely a response to the ICC's November 2024 arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. Trump has said the campaign is "aimed at defending Bibi and various other people."aa+1

Legal Challenges and Diplomatic Pressure

The administration faces growing legal pushback. Three ICC judges sued Trump in June, arguing the sanctions were unlawful. Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch and three other advocacy groups filed a separate lawsuit calling the measures unconstitutional.al-monitor+2

Rubio last month launched a diplomatic campaign urging the ICC's 125 member states to withdraw from the institution, vowing to dismantle it "brick by brick." Venezuela and Chad have since announced intentions to leave the court.mezha+1