Van Hollen Calls for Sanctions Against Trump and Rubio Over ICC Attacks

Van Hollen’s demand follows reports of a planned escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to neutralize the tribunal. The White House is reportedly preparing sweeping sanctions that would bar transactions with the court, effectively cutting it off from the global financial system by prohibiting the use of U.S. dollars. These measures are intended to shield Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other cabinet members from prosecution for alleged war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.

The administration’s hostility toward the court is well-documented, having previously targeted former chief prosecutor Karim Khan and various human rights organizations for their work on the Palestinian dossier. While European leaders, including those from the Netherlands and the European Commission, have voiced strong support for the court’s independence, they remain hesitant to target U.S. officials directly. Instead, EU lawmakers are exploring defensive measures, such as activating a blocking statute to protect European companies from secondary sanctions and developing alternative payment systems to bypass the U.S. dollar dependency.