New orders impose restrictions on ICC officials and establish a task force to combat religious discrimination
Washington, DC [USA], February 7: US President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders, one imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and another addressing what he described as “anti-Christian bias,” CNN reported.
Sanctions on ICC Over Israel Arrest Warrants
The first executive order places financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their family members who assist in ICC investigations of US citizens or allies, according to a fact sheet obtained by CNN.
This move follows the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants last year against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
At the time, the warrants were strongly condemned by then-US President Joe Biden, with bipartisan criticism from Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Critics argue that the ICC’s actions equate the leader of a key US ally with the leader of a terrorist organization.
While neither the US nor Israel are ICC members, the arrest warrants complicate travel for Israeli officials to 124 signatory countries that are legally bound to enforce ICC decisions.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the ICC’s warrants as “absurd and antisemitic,” CNN reported.
Trump’s Second Order Targets ‘Anti-Christian Bias’
Trump also signed a second executive order on Thursday, forming a task force to combat anti-Christian bias.
“Today, I’m signing an executive order to make our attorney general—who’s a great person, she’s going to be a great attorney general, Pam Bondi—the head of a task force brand new to eradicate anti-Christian bias,” Trump said during an event linked to the National Prayer Breakfast, CNN reported.
This is not the first time Trump has taken action against the ICC. During his first term, he authorized sanctions and visa restrictions on ICC officials when the court investigated alleged war crimes in Afghanistan by US and Afghan forces, as well as crimes committed by the Taliban.
Trump’s latest actions align with his strong support for Israel and his efforts to position himself as a defender of religious freedom ahead of the 2024 US elections.