Trump Calls on Israeli President Herzog to Pardon Netanyahu, Claims It Would Make Herzog a 'National Hero'

Donald Trump, never one to shy away from meddling in legal affairs, has now set his sights on Israel. In a recent statement reported by Israel National News, Trump called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently embroiled in a high-profile corruption trial. Trump claimed that such a pardon would make Herzog a "national hero."

This is not just another offhand comment from the former U.S. president. Trump’s call to pardon Netanyahu comes amid a tense wartime situation for Israel and during a trial that has exposed serious allegations of corruption against Netanyahu. The trial’s significance extends beyond domestic Israeli politics, touching on issues of democratic accountability and the rule of law — principles Trump has repeatedly undermined at home.

Trump’s intervention fits a disturbing pattern. Throughout his political career and especially after leaving office, Trump has consistently sought to shield allies and himself from legal consequences by attacking or circumventing judicial processes. From pardoning January 6 rioters to publicly pressuring judges and prosecutors, Trump has shown little regard for the integrity of the legal system.

By urging Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, Trump is effectively endorsing the subversion of justice for political loyalty. His framing of the pardon as a path to heroism for Herzog is a cynical attempt to politicize what should be a sober, impartial decision grounded in the law.

This episode underscores why Trump’s influence remains a threat to democratic norms, not just in the U.S. but internationally. His willingness to interfere in another country’s judicial affairs during a crisis reveals a reckless disregard for democratic accountability and the rule of law. It also highlights the global reach of Trump’s authoritarian impulses, which threaten to erode democratic institutions wherever they take root.

We at Only Clowns Are Orange will continue to track these dangerous patterns of interference and corruption. Trump’s call to pardon Netanyahu is not just a foreign policy blunder — it is another chapter in the ongoing assault on democracy and justice that defines his post-presidential agenda.