US sanctions against UN official and rights groups violate first amendment, lawsuit claims

Plaintiffs allege profound' chilling effect on protected work of international criminal court officials and others

Two US advocacy groups sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, alleging that sanctions targeting Palestinian rights organizations, international criminal court (ICC) officials and a UN expert have unlawfully violated Americans' first amendment rights.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Manhattan, argues that the administration's sweeping 2025 sanctions package has had a profound" chilling effect on Palestine-related advocacy, compelling Americans to sever professional relationships and abandon constitutionally protected work.