U.S. Treasury Sanctions Under Trump: A Divergence from Historical Practice
During the Trump administration, the U.S. Treasury Department reportedly applied and lifted sanctions on foreign individuals in ways that diverged from historical practices. Former State Department officials indicated that these actions appeared to be utilized to reward perceived loyalists and penalize critics of the administration.
Historical Context of Sanctions
Historically, the Treasury Department has imposed sanctions to restrict foreigners deemed serious threats to the U.S. or their own countries, such as those involved in terrorism, drug trafficking, or human rights abuses. These measures are intended to safeguard Americans and encourage behavioral changes.
Traditionally, U.S. Treasury sanctions are aimed at serious threats to national security and human rights, seeking to protect Americans and illicit positive behavioral changes.
Sanctions Imposed on Critics
Several foreign officials faced sanctions after expressing criticism of the President or his political allies:
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Spanish Prime Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: After condemning U.S. military actions in Iran, President Trump reportedly directed the Treasury Secretary to sever all dealings with Spain.
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International Criminal Court (ICC) Judges and Prosecutors: Following the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister in 2024, the Treasury Department sanctioned 11 ICC staffers.
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U.N. Human Rights Official Francesca Albanese: Albanese was sanctioned after investigating human rights abuses in Palestinian territories and characterizing Israeli actions as genocide.
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Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes: Sanctioned while his court was reviewing a case against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro concerning alleged coup attempts. His wife was also sanctioned after Bolsonaro was found guilty. These sanctions were implemented under the Global Magnitsky Sanctions program.
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro: Petro was sanctioned one month after criticizing U.S. actions in the Caribbean Sea. He publicly disputed the Treasury Department's stated justification of illicit drug proliferation.
Sanctions result in the freezing of assets within U.S. jurisdiction, restrictions on entry into the U.S., and prohibitions from using U.S. financial services or conducting business with U.S. companies. Some sanctioned entities, including the ICC and President Petro, publicly contested these restrictions. Albanese, for her part, filed a lawsuit against the administration.
Sanctions Lifted for Perceived Loyalists
Conversely, the Treasury Department removed sanctions on individuals previously accused of crimes and corruption. This occurred despite a reported lack of clear evidence of changed behavior, according to former U.S. ambassadors and senators.
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Antal Rogán (Hungarian cabinet head): Sanctions, initially imposed in 2025 for involvement in political corruption, were lifted in April 2025. Former Ambassador David Pressman suggested this action was linked to perceived personal loyalty between President Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
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Horacio Cartes (former Paraguayan President): Sanctions, imposed in 2023 for alleged bribe collection through Hezbollah representatives and