Trump Demands Israel’s President Pardon Netanyahu “Today” Amid Corruption Trial
Donald Trump is publicly demanding that Israel’s president pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the Israeli leader continues to face corruption charges.
Trump said the pardon should happen immediately, arguing Netanyahu should be focused on Israel’s confrontation with Iran instead of defending himself in court.
The remarks came during interviews reported by Axios and Israeli outlets, where Trump said President Isaac Herzog should grant clemency “today.” Netanyahu is currently on trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in cases tied to alleged gifts and political favors.
Trump sharply criticized Herzog during the comments and claimed the Israeli president had repeatedly promised to issue a pardon but failed to follow through.
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“Herzog is a disgrace,” Trump said, adding that Netanyahu should not be distracted by anything other than the war with Iran.
The pressure comes as Netanyahu continues to deny wrongdoing in the long-running corruption case, which began after indictments were filed in 2019.
The Israeli prime minister formally submitted a request for a presidential pardon in November 2025, but Herzog’s office says the issue remains under legal review by the Justice Ministry before any decision can be made.
Israeli officials have also disputed Trump’s claim that Herzog promised a pardon, saying no such commitment has been made and that the presidency must follow legal procedures before considering clemency.
The dispute highlights the unusual position of Israel’s presidency, which is largely ceremonial but does hold the authority to issue pardons.
For now, Netanyahu’s trial continues while legal advisers review the pardon request and political pressure around the case intensifies.
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