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In a striking diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump has formally sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, calling on him to grant a full pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the Israeli leader’s ongoing corruption trial.
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According to reports from Reuters and Newsweek, Trump’s letter praises Netanyahu as a “formidable and decisive wartime prime minister” who has “led Israel through one of the most challenging periods in its history.” Trump added that “now that we have achieved these unprecedented successes … it is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all.”
Trump emphasized in his message that while he respects Israel’s independent judiciary, he believes the charges against Netanyahu are “politically motivated and unjustified.”
President Herzog’s office confirmed receiving the letter, expressing appreciation for Trump’s consistent support for Israel. However, Herzog’s aides clarified that Israeli law requires a formal pardon request from the individual involved or their legal representative — a step Netanyahu has not yet taken. Moreover, pardons are typically considered only after the legal process concludes, meaning any immediate action is unlikely.
Netanyahu’s trial, which began in 2020, centers on allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The prime minister has vehemently denied all charges, labeling them as part of a political campaign to remove him from power.
Trump’s intervention has sparked debate in both countries. Supporters of Netanyahu welcomed the move as a gesture of friendship and solidarity, while critics warned it represents an unusual intrusion into Israel’s domestic legal system. Some Israeli opposition figures argued that the letter undermines the rule of law and could complicate diplomatic relations.
For now, Herzog’s office has not indicated any plans to act on Trump’s request, but the letter has already become a major political talking point in Jerusalem and Washington alike.
As Israel continues to navigate political turbulence and legal uncertainty, Trump’s appeal adds another layer of international attention to Netanyahu’s ongoing trial — and could shape both leaders’ legacies in the months ahead.