Neither the US nor Israel are members of the ICC, and the White House called the investigations baseless.

Washington, DC – Former US President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of conducting "illegitimate" investigations against the United States and its ally Israel, the White House confirmed on Thursday.

The move follows the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, alleging crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Gaza and Afghanistan. Trump’s order denounced the court for "abusing its power" and targeting allies without jurisdiction.

Under the order, the US will freeze assets and impose travel bans on ICC officials, employees, and their families, as well as anyone assisting its investigations. This decision comes days after Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump at the White House, during which the president expressed unwavering support for Israel, unveiling controversial plans for addressing the Gaza crisis.

Neither the US nor Israel are members of the ICC, and the White House called the investigations baseless. The sanctions mark a continuation of Trump’s hardline stance against the court, recalling his 2020 sanctions against ICC officials for probing US military actions in Afghanistan.

Critics, including some Democrats, argue that the move could harm global justice efforts and alienate international allies. The ICC has yet to issue a formal response to the sanctions.