Federal court suspends Trump sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese

A federal court in Washington temporarily suspended sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration against the United Nations special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, in a decision that reignites the debate about freedom of expression and US foreign policy regarding the war in Gaza.

The resolution was issued by federal judge Richard Leon, who considered that the measures adopted by the US government could violate rights protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. The ruling represents an unswerving setback for the White House and for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who announced the sanctions in July 2025.

Albanese confirmed the news through social networks, where he shared an image of the court ruling and celebrated the court’s decision. “A US court has suspended the sanctions imposed against me,” wrote the Italian official, who publicly thanked her husband, Massimiliano Cali, and her daughter for leading the lawsuit filed before the District Court for the District of Columbia.

The sanctions prevented Albanese from entering the United States and blocked his financial operations within the US banking system.. The Trump administration argued at the time that the rapporteur had promoted actions against Israel and American citizens before the International Criminal Court, in the midst of investigations into alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The judge defends freedom of expression

In his judicial opinion, Leon stated that Albanese “has done nothing but talk,” considering that his recommendations to the International Criminal Court are not binding and are part of his right to express opinions on international affairs.

The judge also held that the fact that Albanese resides outside the United States does not eliminate constitutional protections related to freedom of expression when the actions of the US government seek to punish the content of his speech.

The lawsuit was filed in February by Cali and Albanese’s youngest daughter, a U.S. citizen. The unswerving appeal argues that the sanctions severely affected the daily life of the UN expert, leaving her practically without access to banking services and even making it difficult to access her home in Washington.

International pressure grows against Washington

The United Nations and various human rights organizations have openly questioned the sanctions. UN General Secretary António Guterres called the measures “unacceptable” and warned that they could set a dangerous precedent against international officials.

Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Peep also condemned the US government’s decision, noting that the sanctions appeared aimed at silencing criticism of the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Since the beginning of the conflict, Albanese has become one of the most critical voices against Israel and US military and diplomatic support. His statements, in which he has accused Israel of possible war crimes and even genocide in the Gaza Strip, caused strong clashes with Israeli officials and American conservative sectors.

The court-ordered suspension will remain in effect while federal litigation continues that will define whether the sanctions were constitutional or represented an abuse of power by the Trump administration.

Keep reading:

• US sanctions against ICC endanger the international justice system
• UN special rapporteur calls on world to cut ties with Israel
• Trump criticizes countries that recognize the State of Palestine before the UN