Trump’s Intervention in Netanyahu Trial Sparks Controversy

Jun 26, 2025
International

PNN International Desk (Reuters): Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred global headlines once again—this time by calling for an end to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said:

“Netanyahu’s trial should be immediately cancelled, or he should be pardoned—he is a great hero who has done so much for the State of Israel.”

He added, “This kind of ‘witch hunt’ against someone who has given so much is unthinkable to me.” Trump went even further:

“America saved Israel, and now America will save Bibi too.”

It remains unclear how Trump or the U.S. government could actually intervene in Netanyahu’s ongoing judicial process.

Netanyahu is currently facing three criminal cases filed in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. His trial began in 2020, and he has consistently denied all allegations, claiming innocence. According to Israeli media, his cross-examination began on June 3 at the Tel Aviv District Court and is expected to continue for nearly a year.

Under Israeli law, President Isaac Herzog holds the power to grant a pardon. However, Israeli media have reported that “no request for pardon has been made,” and the matter is “not currently under consideration.”

Trump’s latest remarks come at a critical time—just days after he publicly criticized Israel for launching airstrikes on Iran immediately following a Trump-brokered ceasefire agreement.

“Right after we made the deal, Israel started bombing—I’ve never seen anything like it,” Trump said on Tuesday. “I’m not happy with Israel.”

He also remarked that Iran and Israel have been “fighting so long and so hard, they don’t even know what they’re doing anymore.”

Currently, a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel remains in effect, mediated by Trump himself. Though tensions remain high, the truce has held so far.

Israeli sources report that 28 people have died in Israel during the 12-day conflict, while Iran’s Ministry of Health claims 610 Iranians have been killed and around 4,700 injured. Tensions escalated further when, on June 21, the U.S. launched strikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar, though no casualties were reported.