gg2
US sanctions ICC president and prosecutor
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
US sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye on Aug 18, 2026.
The move escalates Washington's campaign against the war crimes court over Israel probes.
Background
The US has long opposed the ICC's investigations into Israeli officials and US troops, citing lack of jurisdiction. In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against ICC officials. The latest sanctions target the court's president and a senior lawyer, continuing a broader campaign that included previous sanctions and threats to dismantle the court.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2025President Trump signed an executive order to sanction the ICC over its investigations into top Israeli officials.
- Jun 2026Three ICC judges sued the Trump administration, arguing that the sanctions were unlawful.
- Aug 18, 2026US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Rubio said the sanctioned individuals 'directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction.'
- Critics
- US rights groups have sued the administration, arguing the sanctions are unlawful and undermine international justice.