Trump Pushes Israeli President Herzog to Pardon Netanyahu Amid Corruption Trial

Donald Trump is once again pressing Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing a high-profile corruption trial. Speaking to Axios, Trump criticized the timing of the trial, saying Netanyahu should not be burdened by legal troubles “in the middle of a war.” He called the charges “wine and cigars” and urged Herzog to grant a pardon, claiming Herzog “will be a national hero” if he does.

Netanyahu’s trial, which began after an indictment filed in November 2019, includes charges of corruption, bribery, and breach of trust. The trial could result in imprisonment if Netanyahu is convicted. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Netanyahu has not admitted any wrongdoing, a key condition for pardon eligibility under Israeli law.

The Israeli prime minister even cut short a court session recently to attend security consultations related to an aid flotilla heading to Gaza, underscoring the complex political and military context in which this trial is unfolding. Netanyahu’s request to shorten the hearing was denied, but judges allowed him to leave the courtroom temporarily for the consultations.

Trump’s vocal support for Netanyahu’s pardon echoes his own tactics in the United States, where he has repeatedly labeled his legal challenges as politically motivated “witch hunts.” Since June of last year, Trump has been pushing for Netanyahu’s pardon, portraying the trial as an unjust attack rather than a legitimate judicial proceeding.

This intervention comes as Israel prepares for elections in October, where Netanyahu’s political future—and potential legal consequences—hang in the balance. If Netanyahu loses power, his chances of facing prison time increase significantly.

Trump’s campaign to influence a foreign judicial process fits a broader pattern of his administration’s disregard for the rule of law and accountability. By urging Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, Trump is not just defending an ally; he is reinforcing a dangerous precedent of executive interference to shield powerful figures from legal scrutiny.

Only Clowns Are Orange will continue to monitor this story as it develops, highlighting the ongoing erosion of democratic norms and judicial independence both in the U.S. and abroad.