Trump Requests Pardon for Netanyahu in Corruption Trial

U.S. President Donald Trump has formally requested that Israeli President Isaac Herzog grant a full pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges in a trial that began in 2020.

The request came in a letter dated Wednesday and shared by Herzog's office. In it, Trump described the charges against Netanyahu as a "political, unjustified prosecution" and praised the prime minister as a longtime ally who has fought alongside him, including against Iran. "While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System and its requirements, I believe that this case against Bibi ... is a political, unjustified prosecution," Trump wrote, using Netanyahu's nickname.

Netanyahu was indicted in November 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases known as 1000, 2000, and 4000. The bribery count carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, while the fraud and breach of trust charges each carry a maximum of three years. Netanyahu has pleaded not guilty to all allegations and denies any wrongdoing. The trial, the first for a sitting Israeli leader, has faced multiple delays and is expected to continue for...