Amal Clooney, the internationally renowned human rights lawyer and wife of actor George Clooney, is reportedly at risk of facing U.S. sanctions under a controversial executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The legal threat stems from her involvement in a high-profile International Criminal Court (ICC) case against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
According to the Financial Times, the UK Foreign Office has privately warned legal professionals, including Amal, that those offering support or advice to the ICC regarding the case could become targets of sanctions based on the February executive order enacted by the Trump administration.
The development has raised concerns about whether Amal — a dual Lebanese-British citizen — could be banned from entering the United States, where she and George Clooney maintain a residence. The couple, who share twins Alexander and Ella, also own properties in the UK and France.
A Case Complicated by Politics and Personal History
The situation is further complicated by the long-standing tension between George Clooney and Donald Trump. The Ocean’s Eleven star has been outspoken in his criticism of the former president over the years, and the feeling appears mutual. Trump once mocked Clooney on his social media platform Truth Social, calling him a “fake movie actor.”
Clooney, in a recent appearance on CBS Mornings to promote his Broadway debut Good Night and Good Luck, was asked by host Gayle King about Trump’s comments. The actor responded with measured defiance.
“I don’t care,” George said. “I’ve known Donald Trump for a long time. My job is not to please the President of the United States. My job is to try and tell the truth when I can and when I have the opportunity.”
He continued, “I am well aware of the idea that people will not like that… people will criticise that. Elon Musk has weighed in [about me]. That is their right. It’s my right to say the other side.”
What’s at Stake for Amal Clooney?
Amal’s involvement in the ICC case puts her in a delicate legal and diplomatic position. Her work has long centered on global justice and holding world leaders accountable for human rights violations, but this may now clash with U.S. foreign policy under Trump-era rules — especially given the administration’s historically hostile stance toward the ICC.
If sanctions were to move forward, Amal could face travel restrictions or even legal consequences that would affect both her professional obligations and her personal life with George and their children.
As the ICC’s case continues to unfold and the U.S. political climate shifts, the world will be watching closely — not just for the legal outcome, but for what it could mean for one of the most prominent couples in international law and Hollywood.
