The U.S. government announced sanctions against two top officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in August 2026. The officials targeted were ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal. The move was part of a broader U.S. effort to limit the court’s influence, particularly after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2024.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sanctions were imposed because these officials were involved in ICC investigations without the consent of their respective governments. The sanctions followed Executive Order 14203, which was signed by President Trump in February 2025. This order aimed to prevent the ICC from investigating U.S. citizens or military personnel.
The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is an international court created to prosecute serious crimes like genocide and war crimes. It operates under the Rome Statute, a treaty adopted in 1998 with 137 signatories, including the U.S., but not all have ratified it. The ICC has faced criticism for overstepping its jurisdiction by investigating non-member states like Israel.
The U.S. claims the ICC’s actions threaten national sovereignty and security. Since Netanyahu was targeted, the U.S. has expanded sanctions to include nine ICC judges, deputy prosecutors, and former officials. These measures restrict their travel to the U.S., access to its financial system, and freeze any assets in the country.
Reactions to the sanctions have been mixed. Japan, which funds the ICC, called them “unfortunate” while expressing support for the court’s role in upholding international law. UN leaders and human rights groups condemned the sanctions as a threat to global justice. Meanwhile, some countries like Venezuela and Chad have announced plans to withdraw from the ICC.
The sanctions have caused practical challenges for targeted officials, such as losing access to credit cards and financial services. Despite this, Akane has remained defiant, stating that judges are easily replaceable and their work should not be deterred by external pressures.