U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC), condemning its actions as “illegitimate and baseless” after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump’s order imposes financial sanctions and travel restrictions on ICC officials involved in the arrest warrant, which was issued in May 2024 over alleged war crimes related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The U.S. government has strongly opposed the court’s move, calling it politically motivated and unjustified.
The ICC, based in The Hague, is responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Last November, it issued warrants for Netanyahu and a Hamas commander, both of whom deny any wrongdoing.
The warrant against Netanyahu was spearheaded by ICC official Karim Khan from the U.K., raising concerns in Israel and the U.S. about potential legal actions against Israeli leaders.
“The U.S. will impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions,” Trump’s order states.
If enforced, the warrant could lead to Netanyahu’s arrest if he visits certain countries, such as France or the U.K.
Netanyahu, who was in Washington, D.C., at the time of Trump’s announcement, has been meeting with top U.S. officials, marking his first visit since Trump’s recent inauguration.
In addition to sanctioning the ICC, Trump also signed an executive order establishing a task force within the Department of Justice to combat what he describes as “anti-Christian bias.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi will lead the task force, which will review executive actions taken under Joe Biden’s administration to identify policies deemed anti-Christian or unlawful.
The task force will work closely with faith-based organizations and is expected to develop strategies to protect religious liberties. It will submit its first report to the president within 120 days.