Trump sanctions International Criminal Court officials, families … even properties

President Donald Trump has sanctioned the International Criminal Court, an international group that has no jurisdiction over the United States or its ally Israel, but yet issued arrested warrants for a number of key Israeli officials.

The sanctions target ICC officials, their family members and even their properties. Financial sanctions and visa restrictions are a part of the plan.

The action was in response to the ICC’s claim to have issued an arrest warrant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a move that followed the ICC’s leftists claims about Israel’s military response to the war started by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, when those terrorists invaded Israel, slaughtered some 1,200 civilians and abducted hundreds more.

The determination by Trump is that those officials, employees and agents, “as well as their immediate family members,” would be “detrimental to the interests of the United States” if they enter the country.

“I therefore determine that any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute protected persons, as defined in section 8(d) of this order, constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and I hereby declare a national emergency to address that threat.”

He determined others will be added to the order, following a determination by State and Treasury officials and the attorney general.

Trump said, “I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the International Criminal Court (ICC), as established by the Rome Statute, has engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel. The ICC has, without a legitimate basis, asserted jurisdiction over and opened preliminary investigations concerning personnel of the United States and certain of its allies, including Israel, and has further abused its power by issuing baseless arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.”

He pointed out that neither the U.S. nor Israel has agreed to be subject to the ICC.

“Neither country has ever recognized the ICC’s jurisdiction, and both nations are thriving democracies with militaries that strictly adhere to the laws of war. The ICC’s recent actions against Israel and the United States set a dangerous precedent, directly endangering current and former United States personnel, including active service members of the Armed Forces, by exposing them to harassment, abuse, and possible arrest.”

He called out the ICC’s “malign conduct.”

A number of nations around the globe have submitted to the ICC, and in fact said they would be arresting Netanyahu if he ventured onto their territory.

That means, Trump explained, there need to be “tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions,” including blocking of property and assets and denial of entry.