Trump Urges Israeli President Herzog to Pardon Netanyahu, Calling Him a 'Wartime Prime Minister'

Donald Trump is once again inserting himself into a legal controversy, this time involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to a report by Axios, Trump expressed surprise that Netanyahu’s corruption trial was continuing and urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant Netanyahu a presidential pardon. Trump told Axios, “He will be a national hero if he gives Bibi a pardon. I will very much appreciate it.”

Trump’s comments reveal a blatant disregard for the rule of law and judicial independence, as he downplays the seriousness of the corruption charges against Netanyahu. “Bibi is a wartime prime minister. He can’t have this hanging over his head,” Trump said, dismissing the trial as “just wine and cigars.” His framing suggests that Netanyahu’s legal troubles are a distraction from Israel’s security concerns, implying that loyalty and political expediency should outweigh accountability.

The Axios report also notes a shift in Trump’s tone toward Herzog, moving from an aggressive stance to a “softer approach.” Trump said, “I like the guy, Herzog,” signaling an attempt to curry favor with the Israeli president to influence the outcome of the trial.

This intervention fits a broader pattern of Trump’s abuse of pardon power and his efforts to shield political allies from prosecution. During his presidency, Trump repeatedly used pardons to reward loyalty and obstruct justice, notably in cases related to the January 6 insurrection and other investigations into his administration’s misconduct.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the prime minister “frequently” speaks with his “friend President Trump,” underscoring the close ties between the two leaders. Israeli reports about a potential Netanyahu trip to Washington were denied by the Prime Minister’s Office, but the ongoing communication suggests Trump remains an active player in Netanyahu’s political and legal battles.

Trump’s call for a pardon not only undermines Israel’s judicial process but also raises urgent questions about foreign interference and the politicization of justice. The push to shield Netanyahu from accountability threatens democratic norms and highlights the dangerous precedent set when powerful figures demand immunity from the consequences of corruption.

At a time when democratic institutions worldwide face increasing pressure, Trump’s attempt to influence a foreign legal proceeding is yet another example of his relentless pursuit of power and protection for his allies, regardless of the cost to the rule of law.