President sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Netanyahu on Corruption Case. Image credit: Chicago Tribune
(The Post News) – U.S. President Donald Trump waded into Israel’s politics once more Wednesday. This time pressing President Isaac Herzog for the release of a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a letter to Herzog, Trump referred to Netanyahu’s corruption case as a “political, unwarranted prosecution.” This again stirred debate over U.S. influence in Israeli affairs.
Trump’s move goes beyond diplomacy. It reflects his deep loyalty to Netanyahu. He is fighting a broader battle against what he has branded “lawfare.” This term refers to the use of legal systems to attack political opponents.
Trump Sees Himself in Netanyahu
Trump’s call for a pardon echoes his personal experience tussling with the U.S. system of justice. Both leaders frame their legal battles as political witch hunts aimed at removing them from power.
“Trump sees Netanyahu’s prosecution as his own reflection,” said Dr. Yael Ben-David, a political psychologist at Hebrew University. “By defending Netanyahu, he reinforces his own story, that strong conservative leaders are unfairly targeted.”
Trump’s letter defends Netanyahu’s wartime leadership and claims that Israel now enters a “time of peace.” He portrays Netanyahu as a hero. He believes Netanyahu is unfairly persecuted after guiding Israel through war and ceasefire.
Trump’s endorsement is also calculated. Netanyahu had stood by Trump from recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. He also supported the signing of the Abraham Accords. Now, Trump apparently is ready to return the gesture.
“The Gaza ceasefire is holding by a thread. Trump wants Netanyahu to stay in power,” said Michael Koplow, policy director at the Israel Policy Forum. “He believes Netanyahu is essential to maintaining stability and expanding Trump’s Middle East vision.”
The timing strengthens that view. The letter arrived one month after the U.S.-brokered truce in Gaza that Trump boasts as a “historic peace achievement.”
Trump’s letter raised alarms about foreign pressure on Israeli institutions. Israeli law forbids pardons before conviction, and only the prime minister himself can request one.
“Foreign intervention in domestic legal cases undermines Israeli sovereignty,” said Amir Fuchs of the Israel Democracy Institute. “Granting a pardon now would set a dangerous precedent.”
President Herzog acknowledged receipt of Trump’s letter but reminded the public that pardons require a formal request. “We respect President Trump’s friendship,” Herzog’s office stated, “but Israeli law dictates the process.”
Trump’s appeal fits with his broader campaign to unify right-wing populist leaders with a common story of persecution. From Javier Milei in Argentina to Viktor Orbán in Hungary, he has supported those who clash with liberal institutions.
“Trump’s global message is that strong nationalist leaders are victims of establishment lawfare,” said Dr. Rachel Klein of the Atlantic Council. “Pardoning Netanyahu reinforces that ideology.”
By supporting Netanyahu, Trump positions himself as the protector of global conservatism. He fortifies his narrative of political martyrdom ahead of the 2026 U.S. elections.
Domestic Messaging: Lawfare and Loyalty
At home, Trump’s move energizes his base. It allows him to highlight his loyalty to Israel. He appeals to evangelical voters. He attacks what he calls corrupt judicial systems worldwide.
“Trump’s message is simple. If they can do it to Bibi, they can do it to me,” said conservative strategist John McEntee. “He’s turning Netanyahu’s trial into a lesson for American voters.”
Though Herzog cannot legally pardon Netanyahu before the verdict, Trump’s request already reshapes the narrative. It portrays Netanyahu as a victim of political persecution. It also strengthens Trump’s image as a global ally for beleaguered conservative leaders.
The intervention by Trump blurs the line between personal loyalty and statecraft, one that could resonate across Washington and Jerusalem. Trump’s demand for Netanyahu’s pardon isn’t about friendship. Rather, it is about rewriting the legacy of the two accused leaders as vindicated heroes.
For Trump, defending Netanyahu means, in part, defending himself, and that may be the real message behind the letter.
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