{"id":2647019,"date":"2026-08-19T14:28:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T18:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/icc-condemns-rubios-sanctions-targeting-court-president-and-prosecutor\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T14:33:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T18:33:20","slug":"icc-condemns-rubios-sanctions-targeting-court-president-and-prosecutor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/icc-condemns-rubios-sanctions-targeting-court-president-and-prosecutor\/","title":{"rendered":"ICC condemns Rubio&#8217;s sanctions targeting court president and prosecutor"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ficc-condemns-rubios-sanctions-targeting-court-president-and-prosecutor%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2647019&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The International Criminal Court (ICC) has condemned the U.S. decision to sanction its president, tomoko Akane, from Japan, and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye from Senegal, as part of efforts by the Trump governance to undermine the court and protect U.S. sovereignty. These sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are viewed as a direct attack on the independence of the ICC, which prosecutes serious crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity. The ICC criticized the sanctions, warning they threaten the rule of law and the court&#8217;s impartiality, with nine of its judges and some prosecutors being targeted. International voices, including the United Nations and European leaders, have condemned the measures and called for the protection of judicial independence. Japan, the court\u2019s home country, expressed disappointment over the U.S. actions but reaffirmed its commitment to international law. The sanctions are part of a broader U.S. effort initiated in February 2025, following the ICC&#8217;s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to weaken the court, which the U.S. has never officially joined, citing concerns over jurisdiction and sovereignty. Historically, U.S. cooperation with the ICC has fluctuated,with recent administrations maintaining a cautious stance towards the institution.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/international-criminal-court\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4389\"> International Criminal Court<\/a> and leaders around the world are condemning the<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"339\"> Trump administration\u2019s<\/a> decision to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sanctions\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"787\">sanction<\/a> the court\u2019s president and a senior trial lawyer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Secretary of State<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"51\"> Marco Rubio<\/a> announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane, of Japan, and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, of Senegal, on Wednesday. The measures are part of a broader administration effort to \u201csystematically dismantle the ICC until it is incapable of threatening American sovereignty.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4693110\/azerbaijan-sue-cnn-defamation-iran-war\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Azerbaijan sues CNN for defamation over Iran war coverage<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4693171\/icc-condemn-rubio-sanction\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>ICC condemns Rubio\u2019s sanctions targeting court president and prosecutor<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4692942\/south-korea-not-notified-trump-scale-back-joint-military-exercises\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>South Korea says officials \u2018were not notified in advance\u2019 of Trump\u2019s scaling back of joint exercises<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ICC condemned the sanctions, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/statement\/pageite_000001_00009.html\">calling<\/a> them \u201ca flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution\u201d and warning that targeting its judges, prosecutors, and staff threatens the rule of law.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs a result of these designations, at present, nine of the eighteen Judges, both of the two Deputy-Prosecutors, the former Prosecutor and one staff member have been sanctioned by the United States,\u201d the court said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSuch measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff who work towards the fulfilment of the mandate that was conferred to the ICC by States undermine the rule of law,\u201d the court added. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-nations\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"110\">United Nations<\/a> High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UNHumanRights\/status\/2090103660709630181\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UNHumanRights\/status\/2090103660709630181\">called<\/a> the sanctions \u201cunacceptable\u201d and urged countries to defend international institutions established to protect human rights and the rule of law.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/european-union\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1177\">European<\/a> leaders also rallied behind the court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">European Council President Antonio Costa <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/eucopresident\/status\/2090033175279931615\">said<\/a> he \u201cstand[s] firmly with the [International Criminal Court], President Tomoko Akane and the officials who uphold its mission.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Netherlands also criticized the move, with Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ministerBZ\/status\/2089791434668769428\">saying<\/a> the country \u201cdisapproves of the latest sanctions against officials and staff of the International Criminal Court.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cInternational courts and tribunals must be able to freely carry out their mandates,\u201d Berendsen said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/spain\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1864\">Spain<\/a> likewise condemned the sanctions, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SpainMFA\/status\/2090097050079633636\">saying<\/a> international courts \u201cmust exercise their functions independently and free from interference\u201d and pledging continued support for the ICC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/japan\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"593\">Japan<\/a>, Akane\u2019s home country, said it was \u201cvery unfortunate\u201d that the U.S. had targeted the ICC president.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJapan will remain committed to strengthening the rule of law in the international community, while maintaining communication with related countries,\u201d Japan\u2019s Foreign Ministry <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MofaJapan_en\/status\/2089977278310883538\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Trump administration began imposing sanctions on the ICC and its officials in February 2025, escalating tensions with the court after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/benjamin-netanyahu\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"378\">Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rubio announced a broader effort in July to isolate the ICC, accusing the court of seeking to undermine U.S. sovereignty.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-transform:uppercase\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4691647\/rubio-state-department-sanctions-icc-leaders-pretend-offenses\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4691647\/rubio-state-department-sanctions-icc-leaders-pretend-offenses\/\">Rubio sanctions ICC leaders to stop \u2018sham\u2019 court from trying \u2018pretend offenses\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. The U.S. has never joined the court and has maintained that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over Americans without U.S. consent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. cooperation with the ICC has varied across administrations, with the Obama and Biden administrations generally taking a more cooperative approach toward the institution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Global leaders condemn U.S. sanctions on ICC officials<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2647020,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26090663681719-e1787162410261.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[23987,4733,22006,5438,5036],"class_list":["post-2647019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-condemnation","tag-court","tag-icc","tag-rubio","tag-sanctions"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26090663681719-e1787162410261.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647019"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647019\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647023,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647019\/revisions\/2647023"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}