Court insiders claim Trump sanctions could destroy the ICC. Blow to Political Internationalism.
“ICC sources told The Guardian that the measures expected to be implemented by the Trump administration could “shut the court down entirely”.
“The concern is the sanctions will be used to shut the court down, to destroy it rather than just tie its hands,” one official warned.
The sanctions could target senior figures, including chief prosecutor Karim Khan, and disrupt key aspects of the court’s operations. Trump’s administration is anticipated to act quickly upon taking office, issuing an executive order that could set the legal groundwork for a series of sanctions.
The threat of US sanctions against the ICC intensified following the court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza in November last year.
“… [President Trump] could immediately act through an executive order to launch full-scale financial and travel restrictions against the court and its leadership.
According to interviews with officials and diplomats familiar with the ICC’s preparations, the court is planning for a “worst-case scenario” in which the US imposes punitive sanctions against the entire institution, rather than specific individuals.”
Catholic Critique 