Amal Clooney, the internationally respected human rights lawyer and wife of Oscar-winning actor George Clooney, might soon face a ban from entering the United States due to recent political actions under former President Donald Trump.
Amal, who was born in Lebanon and raised in the United Kingdom, is far more than a celebrity spouse. She’s widely recognized for her work in international law and has represented several major political figures over the years. Among her high-profile clients are Yulia Tymoshenko, the former prime minister of Ukraine, and Mohamed Nasheed, the former president of the Maldives.
Amal and George Clooney tied the knot in 2014, and together they have two children—twins Ella and Alexander, who are now seven. While the couple usually splits their time between various international homes, they are currently living in New York City. George is performing in a Broadway production of Good Night, and Good Luck, which has brought them stateside temporarily.
Recently, there has been growing concern that Amal could be caught in the crossfire of escalating tensions between the U.S. and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Reports suggest that she has been working with the ICC on an investigation involving the conflict in Israel and Gaza, a politically charged case that has drawn sharp criticism from Trump and his allies.
According to a recent article by the Financial Times, British lawyers connected to the ICC’s investigations have been warned about potential U.S. sanctions. These warnings, allegedly issued by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, target legal professionals engaged in ICC cases against top Israeli leaders, such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
All of this follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in February, which takes aim at anyone aiding the ICC in its investigations against Israel. The order claims the court has no legitimate authority to act and accuses it of launching unjustified probes against U.S. personnel and allies. It specifically criticizes the ICC for issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Trump’s order doesn’t just express disapproval—it outlines concrete punishments. These include freezing financial assets, seizing property, and denying U.S. entry to individuals—and even their families—who are found to be cooperating with the ICC. The directive is clear: those assisting in the court’s actions could face serious consequences.
This aggressive move by Trump has already impacted key figures. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has reportedly been targeted under the same order, indicating the seriousness of the threat.
While Amal Clooney has not been officially sanctioned yet, her involvement with the ICC could place her at risk. As tensions rise between international legal institutions and U.S. political forces, even world-renowned advocates like Amal may find themselves blocked from countries like the United States—despite their long-standing ties and current residence.
The situation underscores a broader issue: the clash between global justice efforts and national political interests. And for someone like Amal Clooney, who has devoted her career to human rights and accountability, it could mean facing harsh personal and professional repercussions just for doing her job.
