Skip to main content
May 14, 2026court rulingcivil libertiesforeign policyjudicial oversightFirst Amendmentsanctionsjudicial independence

Federal judge blocks U.S. sanctions on UN rapporteur Albanese

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon granted a preliminary injunction blocking Treasury sanctions against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, finding the Trump administration sought to regulate her speech because of "the idea or message expressed." Leon ruled the sanctions likely violated the First Amendment by targeting Albanese for her criticism of U.S. policy on Israel. The administration was expected to appeal.