The United States imposed sanctions on the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, as a continuation of actions initiated by former President Donald Trump last week regarding the court’s inquiries into Israel.
This sanction means Khan has been added to the U.S. list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons,” a designation that prohibits American entities from conducting business with him and imposes entry restrictions into the U.S.
Situated in The Hague, the ICC is responsible for prosecuting serious crimes including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Historically, the U.S. has not acknowledged the authority of the ICC, and Trump has been a vocal critic of the court’s operations over the years. During his previous tenure, sanctions were placed on Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, which the Biden administration later lifted.
Upon reassuming office, Trump issued an executive order on February 6, criticizing the ICC’s actions as “illegitimate and baseless” specifically in relation to investigations tied to the U.S. and its close ally, Israel. This followed the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, over alleged war crimes linked to actions in Gaza. Both leaders have denied the allegations, with Netanyahu labeling the warrant as “absurd.”
Trump’s recent executive order hinted at forthcoming “tangible and significant consequences” for those perceived to be responsible for the court’s actions, with Khan being a key target of these sanctions. The president of the ICC denounced Trump’s directive, asserting the court’s legitimacy, while Farhan Haq, a deputy spokesperson for the United Nations, reiterated the ICC’s role as a crucial component of international justice.
Although the ICC operates independently, it was established with the involvement of the U.N., which means the ICC’s prosecutor sometimes updates the U.N. Security Council about ongoing cases. As of now, there has been no official word from the Trump administration regarding whether Khan will be permitted to visit U.N. headquarters in New York.
Additionally, there have been internal inquiries regarding Khan, as the ICC’s supervisory body has sought to enlist a U.N. watchdog agency to investigate allegations against him of attempting to pressure a female aide into a sexual relationship and groping her. Khan has denied these allegations, asserting that they are false.
This report has been updated to clarify that Trump’s executive order was signed on February 6, not February 7.
