US President Donald Trump has enacted an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging that the court's actions against the United States and its ally Israel are "illegitimate and baseless."
This order introduces financial penalties and travel bans for ICC officials, particularly in light of the arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in May 2024, following the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, is tasked with investigating and prosecuting war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
Last November, it charged Netanyahu with war crimes related to Gaza, a claim Israel disputes, while also targeting a Hamas commander.
Trump's directive emphasizes that the U.S. will impose significant consequences on those accountable for the ICC's actions.
The arrest warrant for Netanyahu was initiated by ICC official Karim Khan from the U.K., posing a risk of arrest for Netanyahu should he travel to countries like France or the U.K.
During Trump's signing of the order, Netanyahu was in Washington, D.C., marking his first visit with the newly inaugurated president.
Also ,Trump established a task force within the Department of Justice to address perceived anti-Christian bias, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, with a mandate to scrutinize the Biden administration's policies for any anti-Christian or illegal practices.
The task force will work alongside faith-based organizations to create strategies aimed at safeguarding religious freedoms. Additionally, it will provide the president with reports on its findings, with the initial report expected in 120 days.