When Allies Defend: Trump, Netanyahu, And The Trial That Won’t End

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, urged Israel to either halt the ongoing corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or issue him a pardon.

Online Media sources say Trump characterized the legal proceedings as a politically motivated “witch hunt” and called on Israeli authorities to exonerate a leader he described as a national hero.

On Wednesday, Trump posted his remarks on Truth Social, his social media platform, voicing strong support for Netanyahu.

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

The charges stem from three separate criminal cases. Netanyahu has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty.

His trial officially began in 2020 and has since continued in a Tel Aviv courtroom, with cross-examination resuming in early June 2025.

The legal process is expected to take up to a year to complete.

“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 wrote, using the Israeli prime minister’s nickname.

He noted that Netanyahu was expected to appear in court again on Monday, expressing disbelief that someone he sees as a national savior could face prosecution.

Trump further stated, “Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me.”

He framed Netanyahu’s legal troubles as part of a broader pattern of politically charged investigations that he believes target leaders aligned with his worldview.

The former U.S. president’s intervention comes at a sensitive time in Israeli politics and judiciary proceedings.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog does hold the constitutional authority to issue pardons.

On the other hand he has publicly stated that no such request has been made and that a pardon for Netanyahu is not currently under consideration.

According to local media, Herzog emphasized that discussions about clemency are not on the table, suggesting that the legal process will continue uninterrupted.

Despite his vocal backing of Netanyahu, Trump’s comments also highlighted a recent strain in U.S.-Israeli relations.

On Tuesday, just one day before issuing his statement in support of the Israeli leader, Trump criticized Israel’s military actions following a ceasefire agreement involving Iran.

“Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before.

“The biggest load that we’ve seen.

“I’m not happy with Israel,” Trump told reporters.

He went on to express frustration with the long-standing conflict between Israel and Iran, saying the two nations had been locked in battle for so long that “they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”

Trump’s sharp critique of Israel’s post-ceasefire actions adds a layer of complexity to his staunch defense of Netanyahu.

His stance seems to reflect a broader political narrative in which he continues to rally against institutions and legal systems that, in his view, unfairly target nationalist or conservative leaders.

His declaration that “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” underscores his desire to position himself.

It also, by extension, underscores the U.S. as a decisive player in Israeli domestic affairs.

However, there is no legal pathway for the United States or any foreign power to intervene directly in Israel’s judicial process.

Trump’s call for either canceling the trial or granting a pardon is likely to stir debate, both within Israel and internationally.

Supporters of Netanyahu may view Trump’s remarks as a validation of their belief in the prime minister’s innocence and dedication to the nation.

Critics, on the other hand, may see it as an attempt to undermine judicial independence and politicize the rule of law.

As Netanyahu continues to defend himself in court and Israel’s political landscape evolves, Trump’s latest statements inject a high-profile international voice into an already contentious legal saga.

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