ICC judges sue Trump administration over sanctions

Three International Criminal Court judges—Kimberly Prost (Canada), Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda) and Reine Alapini‑Gansou (Benin)—filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of New York challenging U.S. sanctions imposed under President Donald Trump’s February 2025 executive order. The order targeted ICC officials involved in investigations of U.S. nationals and allies, notably Israel, and froze the judges’ assets, barred banking services, travel and access to online platforms. The judges argue the sanctions exceed the president’s authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, violate the U.S. Constitution and international law, and constitute an unprecedented attack on judicial independence.

The White House defended the measures as a response to ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and prior ICC scrutiny of U.S. personnel, alleging a national‑security threat. The judges’ filing, supported by the Open Society Justice Initiative, claims there was no genuine emergency and that the sanctions are intended to pressure the bench. The case now awaits a response from the Trump administration within the statutory 60‑day period.