AXIOS REPORT: Exclusive: Trump demands immediate pardon for Netanyahu to focus on Iran

Why it matters: Trump has been pushing for a Netanyahu pardon since last June, arguing that his trial on corruption charges — ongoing since 2020 — is a "witch hunt" akin to the U.S. president's own legal troubles.

World

Exclusive: Trump demands immediate pardon for Netanyahu to focus on Iran

by Barak Ravid

34 mins ago

 

President Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog (left) at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv in October. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

President Trump told Axios on Thursday that Israeli President Isaac Herzog must pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "today" — calling Herzog "a disgrace" for failing to act over the last year.

• "Every day I talk to Bibi about the war. I want him to focus on the war and not on the f*cking court case. I want the only pressure on Bibi to be the fighting against Iran," Trump said in a phone interview.

Why it matters: Trump has been pushing for a Netanyahu pardon since last June, arguing that his trial on corruption charges — ongoing since 2020 — is a "witch hunt" akin to the U.S. president's own legal troubles.

Go deeper (2 min. read)