President Donald Trump called for the immediate cancellation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial on Wednesday, June 25, describing the ongoing legal proceedings as a “witch hunt” and demanding that Israel grant Netanyahu a full pardon. Trump made the statements on his Truth Social platform following recent joint military operations between the United States and Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities.
The President expressed shock that Netanyahu had been summoned back to court amid the ongoing legal proceedings that have continued since 2020. Trump characterized the Israeli leader as a warrior who demonstrated exceptional leadership during recent conflicts with Iran. He indicated that Netanyahu could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his devotion to Israel during their joint operations against Iranian targets.
Trump’s intervention comes as Netanyahu faces charges in three separate criminal cases that have dominated Israeli politics for years. The corruption trial involves multiple allegations, including accusations that Netanyahu and his wife accepted lavish gifts worth approximately 700,000 Israeli shekels from wealthy businessmen, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, in exchange for political favors.
The second case involves allegations of an attempted arrangement with newspaper publisher Arnon Mozes to secure favorable media coverage in return for legislation that would weaken a rival publication. The most serious charges stem from accusations that Netanyahu pushed regulatory decisions benefiting telecom company Bezeq in exchange for favorable news coverage from the Walla website.
Netanyahu’s criminal trial resumed this month after being paused during the height of Israel’s recent conflict with Iran. Cross-examination of the Israeli Prime Minister began on June 3 in a Tel Aviv court and is expected to continue for approximately one year. Netanyahu has consistently denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming the cases represent a political conspiracy orchestrated by the judiciary, police, and media.
The timing of Trump’s statement coincides with recent military operations that both leaders described as highly successful. The joint strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend were characterized by Trump as representing one of the greatest moments in Israeli history. Trump credited Netanyahu’s leadership as essential to the mission’s success and suggested that no other Israeli leader could have executed the operation without significant losses or complications.
Trump’s post on Truth Social suggested that either the charges against Netanyahu should be dropped entirely or that the Israeli leader should receive a full pardon. The President emphasized that the United States had played a crucial role in protecting Israel and indicated that America would now work to protect Netanyahu from what he characterized as unfair legal persecution.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog holds the constitutional power to grant pardons in Israel, though Israeli media reports indicate that Herzog has stated a pardon for Netanyahu is not currently under consideration. Herzog has also been quoted as saying that no formal request for a pardon has been submitted.
The response from Israeli political figures has been mixed. A spokesperson for Netanyahu’s Likud party shared Trump’s statement in Hebrew on social media platforms, suggesting alignment with the American President’s position. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Trump’s intervention, stating that the former American President should not interfere in legal processes within an independent country.
Lapid suggested that Trump’s defense of Netanyahu might represent part of a political arrangement, speculating that the support could be compensation for future pressure on Netanyahu regarding the conclusion of conflicts in Gaza. The opposition leader indicated that such an arrangement would suit Trump’s broader regional objectives.
The corruption trial has been a defining feature of Israeli politics since charges were first filed in 2019. The proceedings have continued through multiple election cycles and have remained a central issue in Israeli domestic politics even as the country has faced significant security challenges in recent months.
Trump’s statement represents an unusual intervention by an American President in the domestic legal affairs of an allied nation. The President’s characterization of the prosecution as politically motivated aligns with Netanyahu’s own defense strategy, which has consistently portrayed the charges as an attempt by political opponents to undermine his leadership.
The joint military operations against Iranian nuclear facilities that prompted Trump’s defense of Netanyahu involved strikes on three major installations. Trump indicated that Iran would not be capable of developing nuclear weapons for an extended period following the successful completion of these operations. The President described the coordinated effort as demonstrating unprecedented cooperation between American and Israeli military forces.
Netanyahu’s trial is scheduled to continue on Monday in Jerusalem, where prosecutors will proceed with their cross-examination of the Israeli Prime Minister. The proceedings are expected to continue for several more months as the court examines evidence related to all three criminal cases. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for Israeli politics and Netanyahu’s continued tenure as Prime Minister.
