The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on two top members of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the measures target Court President Tomoko Akane of Japan and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal.
The sanctions prevent the two officials from entering the United States and using the US financial system. This action escalates pressure against the Hague-based court, which was established in 2002 by the international community to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
Washington has described the court as a threat to national sovereignty and has led a campaign to dismantle the institution. The administration stated that the move comes after the court unfairly targeted the United States and Israel.
The ICC condemned the sanctions in a statement, asserting that the latest measures undermine the rule of law.