Fact Check: Trump Sanctioned ICC Judges
What We Know
On June 5, 2025, the Trump administration announced sanctions against four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as part of an ongoing response to the court's investigations into alleged war crimes involving Israel and the United States. The sanctions were imposed under President Trump's Executive Order 14203, which targets individuals associated with the ICC who are perceived to be acting against U.S. interests (source-1). The judges sanctioned include Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza (Peru), Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou (Benin), and Beti Hohler (Slovenia) (source-2).
The sanctions freeze any assets these judges may have in U.S. jurisdictions and are described by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as necessary to protect U.S. sovereignty and that of its allies, particularly Israel (source-3). Rubio characterized the ICC as "politicized" and accused it of overstepping its authority by investigating U.S. nationals and allies without their consent (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Trump sanctioned ICC judges is supported by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Department of State confirmed the sanctions through an official statement, detailing the actions taken against the judges (source-1). Additionally, major news outlets such as Reuters and AP reported on the sanctions, providing context regarding the ICC's investigations into Israel's military actions and the U.S. government's stance on international judicial authority (source-2, source-3).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations and official government statements. However, it is important to note that the characterization of the ICC as "illegitimate" and "politicized" reflects the U.S. administration's perspective, which may introduce a degree of bias in the reporting. Critics, including human rights organizations and international legal experts, have condemned the sanctions as undermining judicial independence and accountability (source-4, source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that Trump sanctioned ICC judges is True. The evidence from official statements and reputable news sources confirms that the Trump administration, under Executive Order 14203, imposed sanctions on four ICC judges due to their involvement in investigations perceived as targeting the United States and Israel. This action reflects a broader strategy to challenge the ICC's authority and protect U.S. interests abroad.
Sources
- Imposing Sanctions in Response to the ICC's Illegitimate Actions Targeting the United States and Israel. U.S. Department of State
- Trump administration imposes sanctions on four ICC judges. Reuters
- US hits International Criminal Court judges with sanctions. AP News
- US decision to sanction ICC judges 'deeply corrosive' to justice. UN News
- The four ICC judges sanctioned by the US for Palestine and Israel. Middle East Eye
