Four U.S.-based human rights organizations have taken legal action against the Trump administration regarding its sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), claiming the sanctions are illegal. The lawsuit was filed by the American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch, and the Open Society Institute in the Southern District of New York.
The lawsuit alleges that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority by issuing an executive order in February 2025 that authorized sanctions against ICC personnel, as well as foreign individuals or groups supporting the court. These sanctions were imposed after the ICC issued arrest warrants in late 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes in Gaza, which Israel has denied.
Critics argue that these sanctions have hindered their human rights and legal activities, infringing on rights protected under the U.S. Constitution, including freedom of speech. Human Rights Watch’s international justice director, Liz Evenson, stated during an online news conference that the Trump administration’s actions undermine the rule of law necessary for safety and human rights protection worldwide.
In response to the lawsuit, a White House official criticized the ICC, accusing it of being politicized and making unfounded claims while asserting the U.S. would take necessary actions to safeguard its sovereignty and allies. The ICC, based in The Hague, investigates and prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and aggression.
The relationship between the U.S. and the ICC has been strained for years, with tensions escalating during the Trump administration. Last month, the U.S. government intensified efforts to dismantle the ICC, citing threats to American sovereignty. Additionally, advocacy groups have sued the administration over the sanctions, claiming they violate freedom of speech and impede Palestinian human rights advocacy.
Separately, legal groups have challenged the Trump administration’s attempts to restrict birthright citizenship, following a failed Supreme Court attempt to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to unauthorized or temporary residents. Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Trump issued executive orders seeking to limit birthright citizenship, prompting legal challenges against these measures.