The Trump administration has sanctioned International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal, accusing the court of politicization and overreach. The ICC countered that the sanctions undermine the rule of law and international legal order.

The United States has imposed sanctions against International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on Tuesday, marking the latest action in Washington's campaign against The Hague-based institution. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the targeted individuals have engaged in ICC efforts to investigate and prosecute officials from governments that have not consented to ICC jurisdiction.

The Trump administration characterizes the ICC as "corrupt and fatally politicised," claiming it has abused its authority and exceeded its mandate. The sanctions prevent the individuals from entering the United States and conducting transactions within the American financial system. The move follows a broader diplomatic offensive launched last month, during which the US called on partner nations to withdraw from the court. Chad and Venezuela have already announced their withdrawal.

The ICC responded by stating that sanctions against judicial officials "undermine the rule of law" and place the international legal order at risk. The court expressed concern that country withdrawals could impede collective efforts to pursue justice for war crime victims. The escalating tensions appear closely linked to ICC investigations targeting Israel, a US ally, including an arrest warrant issued in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the Gaza conflict.

The US, which signed but never ratified the Rome Statute establishing the ICC, has previously sanctioned multiple court officials. Human rights groups have challenged the sanctions in a New York court, arguing they obstruct war crime victims from seeking justice. Meanwhile, the ICC has also faced friction with Russia following a 2023 arrest warrant issued for President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine conflict.