President Donald Trump‘s administration is facing a fresh legal challenge. Four human rights organizations have sued over its sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Human Rights Watch-led lawsuit argues Trump exceeded emergency powers with ICC sanctions
According to Law Commentary, four human rights organizations filed the lawsuit on Aug. 11 in federal court in New York. The groups include Human Rights Watch, the American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights and the Open Society Institute.
The groups are challenging Executive Order 14203, which Trump signed in 2025. The order authorizes sanctions against certain ICC officials. It targets individuals supporting investigations involving U.S. personnel or allied nationals.
The lawsuit argues Trump exceeded the authority granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The organizations claim Congress intended the law to address extraordinary foreign threats. They state the law must not restrict constitutionally protected speech, legal advocacy or humanitarian work.
According to The Hill, the groups have scaled back research, legal work and collaboration with sanctioned individuals. They argue that they fear civil or criminal penalties. Additionally, the policy extends beyond financial restrictions and interferes with everyday human rights work.
The filing also raises First Amendment concerns. The organizations argue the sanctions create a chilling effect by discouraging speech and advocacy, even when those activities are otherwise lawful.
The lawsuit follows another legal setback for the administration. In July 2025, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman ruled that Executive Order 14203 violated the First Amendment rights of two law professors who worked on ICC-related matters. However, that ruling applied only to those plaintiffs and did not block the executive order nationwide.
In addition, the complaint argues the sanctions violate the Fifth Amendment because terms such as “services” are too vague. The groups say they cannot determine whether activities like legal advice, advocacy or sharing information could trigger penalties.
The American Friends Service Committee also claims the sanctions burden its religious mission in violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The Trump administration has defended the sanctions as necessary to protect U.S. sovereignty. The executive order specifically cites the ICC’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, arguing the court exceeded its authority.
The lawsuit asks the federal court to declare the sanctions unlawful and block their enforcement. The case marks the latest challenge to the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against the ICC. It could shape the limits of presidential emergency powers moving forward.
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