EXPLAINER: Why did the ICC judges sue US President Donald Trump and his administration?

Three judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have filed a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump and his administration over the imposition of US sanctions against their ICC officials for allegedly interfering in the country and its allies.

The plaintiffs are Judge Kimberly Prost of Canada, Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, and Judge Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Benin.

According to the complaint of the three ICC judges, the sanctions were not only a simple punishment, but a step to allegedly influence and put pressure on their judicial decisions as members of the ICC.

They maintained that the sanctions imposed were illegal and violated the freedom and independence of the judiciary.

Further, the sanctions specifically targeted their personal and financial interests in order to influence their work as judges.

These included prohibiting them from using credit cards, banking services, booking travel, accessing certain online platforms, and using certain health insurance services from the US.

The sanctions also hinder the submission of evidence and legal arguments in the cases heard by the ICC.

The US sanctions could impose widespread restrictions on financial institutions as banks and institutions with ties to the US financial system or those using US dollars could potentially follow suit.

To recall, the Trump administration last February 2025 imposed sanctions against several ICC officials and judges, including freezing their assets and property in the US and prohibiting financial transactions with the US.

The move was in response to the ICC's actions related to Israel and America.

These include the issuance of an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the ICC's previous decision to investigate allegations of war crimes committed by American soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Trump administration stressed that the ICC should not have power in matters involving the United States and its allies.

The ICC is an international tribunal established in 2002 to try cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

It has jurisdiction over its member states or in situations referred to it by the United Nations Security Council. Currently, the ICC has 125 member states.

However, some countries do not recognize its functions, including the US, China, Russia, and Israel. — BAP, GMA News