The International Criminal Court and leaders around the world are condemning the Trump administration’s decision to sanction the court’s president and a senior trial lawyer.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane, of Japan, and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, of Senegal, on Wednesday. The measures are part of a broader administration effort to “systematically dismantle the ICC until it is incapable of threatening American sovereignty.”
The ICC condemned the sanctions, calling them “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution” and warning that targeting its judges, prosecutors, and staff threatens the rule of law.
“As a result of these designations, at present, nine of the eighteen Judges, both of the two Deputy-Prosecutors, the former Prosecutor and one staff member have been sanctioned by the United States,” the court said.
“Such measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff who work towards the fulfilment of the mandate that was conferred to the ICC by States undermine the rule of law,” the court added.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called the sanctions “unacceptable” and urged countries to defend international institutions established to protect human rights and the rule of law.
European leaders also rallied behind the court.
European Council President Antonio Costa said he “stand[s] firmly with the [International Criminal Court], President Tomoko Akane and the officials who uphold its mission.”
The Netherlands also criticized the move, with Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen saying the country “disapproves of the latest sanctions against officials and staff of the International Criminal Court.”
“International courts and tribunals must be able to freely carry out their mandates,” Berendsen said.
Spain likewise condemned the sanctions, saying international courts “must exercise their functions independently and free from interference” and pledging continued support for the ICC.
Japan, Akane’s home country, said it was “very unfortunate” that the U.S. had targeted the ICC president.
“Japan will remain committed to strengthening the rule of law in the international community, while maintaining communication with related countries,” Japan’s Foreign Ministry said.
The Trump administration began imposing sanctions on the ICC and its officials in February 2025, escalating tensions with the court after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Rubio announced a broader effort in July to isolate the ICC, accusing the court of seeking to undermine U.S. sovereignty.
Rubio sanctions ICC leaders to stop ‘sham’ court from trying ‘pretend offenses’
The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The U.S. has never joined the court and has maintained that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over Americans without U.S. consent.
U.S. cooperation with the ICC has varied across administrations, with the Obama and Biden administrations generally taking a more cooperative approach toward the institution.