Amal Clooney, a prominent British human rights lawyer, may be barred from entering the United States due to her involvement with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Her legal work has landed her in the crosshairs of a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
Fox News reported that the controversy stems from Amal Clooney’s advisory role in an ICC war crimes case targeting Israeli officials. The ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over Israel’s response to Hamas’ unprovoked attack on October 7, 2023.
That attack, which sparked the Gaza conflict, has led to tens of thousands of deaths. Amal Clooney, born in Lebanon and raised in Britain, has practiced law in both England and the United States for years.
She provided legal counsel to the ICC, which also charged three now-deceased Hamas leaders in the same conflict. Her work, however, has drawn the ire of the U.S. government, which views the ICC’s actions as overreach.
In February 2025, President Trump signed an executive order condemning the ICC for its “illegitimate and baseless” actions against the U.S. and Israel.
The order accuses the court of wrongly asserting jurisdiction over American and Israeli personnel. It specifically calls out the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant as unjustified.
The executive order imposes severe penalties on ICC officials, employees, and their families. These include blocking property and assets, as well as suspending entry into the United States. Amal Clooney, as an ICC advisor, falls under this broad net, alongside ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who was explicitly named in the order.
The U.K. Foreign Office has warned British lawyers, including Clooney, of potential U.S. sanctions. This puts her ability to travel to the U.S. at risk, where she and her family have significant ties. The Clooneys own properties in the United States, London, and Lake Como, Italy.
Amal and George Clooney, married for 11 years, have two young children. The family primarily resides in France but has temporarily relocated to New York City. George Clooney is starring in the Broadway play “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
George Clooney, an American citizen, has embraced the family’s time in New York. “They love being here,” he told Stephen Colbert, praising the city’s vibrant energy. He described New York as a place where excitement is unavoidable.
Clooney also noted the benefits of his Broadway schedule. “A play is kind of a good schedule because you’re working at night,” he said. This allows him to spend daytime with his children, maintaining family balance amidst the controversy.
The ICC’s 2024 arrest warrants for Israeli leaders have stirred international tension. The court’s decision followed Hamas’ October 2023 attack, which prompted Israel’s military retaliation in Gaza. The conflict’s devastating toll has fueled debates over accountability and jurisdiction.
The U.S. executive order frames the ICC’s actions as an abuse of power. It argues the court lacks legitimate authority to target personnel from the U.S. or its allies, like Israel. This stance reflects a broader rejection of globalist institutions overriding national sovereignty.
Amal Clooney’s involvement highlights the risks of aligning with such institutions. Her legal expertise, while respected, now jeopardizes her family’s freedom to travel. The sanctions could disrupt their ability to visit or maintain their U.S. properties.
The Clooneys’ temporary stay in New York may face complications if Amal is barred from future U.S. entry. The executive order’s inclusion of immediate family members raises questions about its scope. It remains unclear how broadly the sanctions will be enforced.
George Clooney has not publicly addressed the sanctions threat. His focus remains on his Broadway performance and family life. Yet the situation underscores the personal costs of politicized legal battles.