Overview

• President Trump’s February executive order imposed economic and travel sanctions on ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, targeting his role in war crimes investigations.
• A lawsuit filed in Maine federal court on April 11, 2025, challenges the order, claiming it violates First Amendment rights and oversteps emergency powers.
• Plaintiffs Matthew Smith and Akila Radhakrishnan assert the sanctions forced them to halt critical collaboration with the ICC on cases involving atrocities in Myanmar and Afghanistan.
• The sanctions threaten U.S. citizens and organizations with penalties for providing services to sanctioned ICC officials, creating a chilling effect on human rights advocacy.
• The case highlights broader efforts by the Trump administration to undermine the ICC, raising concerns about the U.S. stance on international accountability.