WASHINGTON: In a dramatic intervention that has sparked political ripples both in Washington and Tel Aviv, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded an immediate halt to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial. Calling Netanyahu a “great hero” and a “warrior,” Trump urged Israel to either cancel the proceedings or grant a full pardon.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust across three separate criminal cases. He has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty. The trial, which began in 2020, is now in the cross-examination phase, with hearings underway in Tel Aviv as of June 3. The process is expected to take about a year.
“Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a pardon given to a great hero who has done so much for the State (of Israel),” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social. “It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu,” he added.
Trump’s remark referencing the U.S. “saving” Israel appears tied to Washington’s unwavering military and diplomatic backing of Israeli operations, particularly against Iran. The former president also labeled Netanyahu’s trial a “witch hunt” — the same term he frequently uses to describe his own legal battles.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has the authority to pardon Netanyahu, but according to local media, no such request has been submitted and a pardon is not currently under consideration.
Trump’s comments come amid tensions between the two governments following Israeli airstrikes on Iran that were launched just after a ceasefire agreement. The U.S. had reportedly played a central role in brokering the temporary halt in hostilities.
“Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before,” Trump told reporters. “I’m not happy with Israel.”
In a blunt critique of the broader regional conflict, Trump added: “They’ve been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”
The remarks signal a complex turn in Trump’s traditionally strong support for Netanyahu and Israeli defense policy. While Trump’s administration was known for its pro-Israel stance, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and brokering normalization deals with Arab states, his recent statements suggest a growing frustration with Israeli decision-making in the latest Middle East escalation.
For now, Netanyahu’s legal fate remains in the hands of Israel’s judicial system, while Trump’s unexpected plea for his ally’s exoneration injects fresh volatility into an already tense political environment.