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

The resolution was issued by federal judge Richard Leon, who considered that the measures adopted by the U.S. government could violate rights protected by the Pri mere Amendment of the Constitution. The ruling represents a legal setback for the White House and for the 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 judicial ruling and celebrated the court's decision. “A US court has suspended the sanctions imposed on m “against”, 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 U.S. banking system. The Trump administration argued at the time that the rapporteur had prompted actions against Israel and US citizens before the International Criminal Court, in the amid investigations for 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 non-binding and form part of his right to express opinions on international matters.

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 US government's actions seek to punish the content of his speech.

The lawsuit was filed in February by Cali and Albanese's younger daughter, a U.S. nte the daily life of the UN expert, leaving her practically no access to banking services and making even difficulty access to her home in Washington.

International pressure growing against Washington

The United Nations and various human rights organizations have openly questioned the sanctions. UN Secretary-General 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 Watch also condemned the US government's decision and noted 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 the military and diplomatic backing of the United States. His statements, in which h a accused Israel of possible war crimes and even genocide in the Gaza Strip, caused strong clashes with Israeli officials and conservative sectors in the United States.

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