US Judge Halts Trump Administration Sanctions on UN Rapporteur
Federal court order temporarily blocks entry ban and financial restrictions imposed following her criticism of US policy on Gaza, with the administration accused of targeting her message rather than conduct.
A US federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction to temporarily block sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. US District Judge Richard Leon ruled on Wednesday that the measures constituted an unconstitutional regulation of speech, finding that the administration sought to penalise the expert for the ideas she expressed rather than any actionable conduct.
The sanctions, which were imposed in July 2025, barred Albanese from entering the United States and utilising American financial systems. They also prohibited US persons from conducting business with her. The Trump administration had accused the Italian legal scholar of biased and malicious activities, declaring her unfit for her role following her public criticism of US policy regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In his memorandum opinion, Judge Leon noted that Albanese’s recommendations carry no binding effect on the International Criminal Court (ICC). He stated it was undisputed that her input was merely an opinion and that she had done nothing more than speak. The court order effectively halted the penalties pending further legal proceedings, though the final outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain.
The legal challenge was filed in February 2025 by Albanese’s husband and her daughter, a US citizen. They argued that the sanctions were designed to punish Albanese for highlighting human rights abuses and were effectively debanking her, making it nearly impossible for her to meet daily needs. The lawsuit contended that the measures were intended to weaken her mission as the UN Human Rights Council’s rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory.
Albanese, who has served in the position since 2022, celebrated the ruling on social media. She thanked her family and supporters for stepping up to defend her against what she described as calculated efforts to silence her. The sanctions had previously included a recommendation that the ICC pursue war crimes prosecutions against Israeli and US nationals, a stance that drew sharp rebuke from Washington.
