US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on February 6 authorizing sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials and others supporting the court’s work. The ICC’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, was the first individual targeted with these sanctions.

Trump’s action was met with immediate expressions of support for the court from around the globe. Seventy-nine ICC member countries issued a statement reaffirming their “unwavering support” for the court, highlighting how sanctions could undermine the court’s mandate, and committing to ensure the court can continue its crucial work. Some countriesalso individually defended the court. Germany’s Foreign Minister noted that the ICC’s inability to continue its work would be one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “greatest joys.”