Trump Formally Asks Israeli President to Pardon Netanyahu Corruption Case/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has officially requested Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the ongoing corruption trial “political lawfare.” The unprecedented letter marks Trump’s most formal intervention in Israeli domestic legal matters to date. Israeli law, however, restricts presidential pardons to formal defendant requests, limiting Herzog’s options.
Trump’s Netanyahu Pardon Push Quick Looks
- Trump sends official letter to President Herzog requesting Netanyahu’s pardon
- Calls Israeli prime minister’s corruption case “political lawfare”
- Letter follows years of Trump publicly backing Netanyahu’s legal defense
- Israeli law limits Herzog’s pardon authority without formal defendant request
- Netanyahu stands trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust
- Accused of accepting lavish gifts, pushing favorable regulation
- Herzog’s office praises Trump but reinforces legal procedure rules
- Trump compares Netanyahu’s trial to his own legal troubles
- Trump previously urged pardon during Israeli parliament speech
- Netanyahu’s trial has lasted four years amid legal delays
Deep Look: Trump Formally Urges Israeli President to Pardon Netanyahu Over Corruption Charges
WASHINGTON — In a rare and formal intervention into a close ally’s judicial affairs, U.S. President Donald Trump has sent an official letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently standing trial on serious corruption charges. The letter, released by Herzog’s office Wednesday morning, represents Trump’s most concrete step in his ongoing campaign to clear Netanyahu’s name.
Calling the charges “political lawfare,” Trump appealed to Herzog to help Netanyahu “unite Israel,” arguing that his longtime ally should not be distracted by what he views as politically motivated legal proceedings.
Trump’s Case for a Pardon
In the letter, Trump stated that with the war in Gaza deescalating, his focus is now shifting back to diplomacy in the Middle East, particularly on expanding the Abraham Accords. He argued that Netanyahu’s full attention is needed on strategic efforts, not on courtroom proceedings.
“While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System… I believe that this ‘case’ against Bibi… is a political, unjustified prosecution,” Trump wrote. “It is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him.”
Trump emphasized that Netanyahu has fought alongside him on critical issues, especially against adversaries like Iran. His call for a pardon comes after numerous public statements supporting the Israeli leader, whom Trump has repeatedly defended on the global stage.
Legal Limits in Israel May Block Trump’s Appeal
Despite the high-profile nature of Trump’s request, Israel’s laws make a presidential pardon far more procedural than political. Under current legal guidelines:
- Only the defendant or a family member may formally request a pardon.
- Israeli courts typically require that defendants plead guilty or acknowledge wrongdoing before a pardon is considered.
- The Ministry of Justice generally weighs in on all pardon requests.
Herzog’s office acknowledged receiving Trump’s letter and expressed appreciation for the former U.S. president’s “unwavering support for Israel.” However, the office added that all pardon requests must follow established legal procedures.
“As the President has made clear on several occasions, anyone seeking a pardon must submit a request in accordance with the established procedures,” Herzog’s office stated.
What Netanyahu Is Accused Of
Prime Minister Netanyahu is currently on trial in three separate corruption cases involving bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The most prominent allegations include:
- Accepting over $200,000 in gifts such as cigars and champagne from wealthy businessmen.
- Granting regulatory favors to a telecom tycoon in exchange for positive media coverage.
The case has dragged on for over four years, slowed in part by Netanyahu’s frequent legal maneuvers aimed at delaying proceedings. Critics, including a former head of Israel’s domestic security agency, have accused him of trying to use his executive authority to obstruct the case.
Trump’s Personal Motivation
According to Trump aides, the former president’s intervention stems from a deep sense of personal empathy. Trump has publicly compared Netanyahu’s trial to his own legal battles, framing both as politically motivated attacks.
Three advisers confirmed to Axios that Netanyahu directly asked Trump to make the request to President Herzog.
“He thinks it is a similar injustice and he is going to continue weighing in on this,” said one Trump adviser.
Earlier this month, in an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Trump said he would be “involved” in Netanyahu’s trial “to help him out a little bit.”
Trump’s Public Pressure Campaign
Trump has long used both formal and informal platforms to advocate for Netanyahu. During a speech to the Israeli parliament in October, he openly called on Herzog to issue a pardon, saying:
“Cigars and champagne — who the hell cares about this?”
That speech followed a series of Truth Social posts in June, in which Trump demanded the trial be scrapped. The latest letter to Herzog signals a new level of formality and commitment to that effort.
Next Steps Remain Unclear
While Trump’s letter garners global attention, it is unlikely to yield immediate legal consequences. Unless Netanyahu or a family member submits a formal pardon request and admits some level of guilt, Israeli legal norms will prevent President Herzog from granting clemency.
The move, however, places Herzog in a delicate position, caught between international political pressure and the expectations of Israel’s independent judiciary.
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