Federal Judge Halts Trump-Era Sanctions Against ICC Officials

A U.S. federal judge has issued a temporary block on the enforcement of former President Donald Trump’s executive order that imposed sanctions on individuals cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen, marks a significant legal setback for the controversial order, which had targeted ICC staff investigating alleged war crimes by the United States and its allies.

The executive order, signed on February 6, 2025, allowed for asset freezes and travel bans against ICC officials and others assisting them. Critics said the order not only threatened international accountability but also infringed on Americans’ constitutional rights—particularly their freedom of speech.

The case was brought forward by two human rights advocates who argued that the order unlawfully restricted their ability to engage with ICC officials. Judge Torresen agreed, ruling that the order was overly broad and “prohibits substantially more speech than necessary,” particularly when it comes to offering services to ICC representatives. The court concluded that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their First Amendment challenge.

One of the central targets of the sanctions was ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, whose investigations into alleged war crimes in Gaza and Afghanistan had angered the Trump administration. Human rights organizations around the world had condemned the sanctions, viewing them as an attack on global justice mechanisms.

While the temporary injunction blocks enforcement of the order for now, the broader legal battle over its constitutionality remains ongoing. Neither the White House nor the ICC has publicly commented on the ruling.

The case represents a critical test of how far executive authority can go in curbing international cooperation and raises questions about the future of U.S. engagement with global legal institutions.