Canada weighs support for ICC Judge Prost's lawsuit against U.S. sanctions

International Criminal Court judge Kimberly Prost, a Winnipeg‑born jurist, is suing former U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration in a New York federal court. The suit alleges that the 2025 sanctions imposed on Prost – which have blocked her credit‑card use and access to major online services – exceeded the President’s emergency powers, violated due‑process rights, and constitute an arbitrary attack on judicial independence. Prost and two other ICC judges are seeking a preliminary injunction that could freeze the sanctions while the case proceeds.

Canada has not indicated whether it will intervene. Former senior diplomat Sabine Nolke suggested Ottawa could file an amicus brief, noting Canada’s historic support for the ICC and past participation in similar U.S. cases. Global Affairs Canada said it remains a “strong supporter of the ICC and the independence of its judges” but declined to comment while litigation is ongoing.