Trump calls Israel’s president ‘disgraceful’ for not pardoning Netanyahu

The US president tells reporters that Isaac Herzog should be ‘ashamed’ for not pardoning Netanyahu’s bribery charges.Published On 12 Feb 2026Donald Trump has upped his pressure against Israel’s President Isaac Herzog as he seeks a pardon for his ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing bribery charges.The United States president told reporters on Thursday that the Israeli prime minister has been an “extraordinary” wartime leader. He then condemned Herzog for failing to offer Netanyahu presidential clemency.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Netanyahu says he’ll present ‘principles’ for Iran talks to Trumplist 2 of 3Iran’s Larijani accuses Israel of trying to sabotage US negotiationslist 3 of 3‘Nothing definitive’ reached about Iran during Netanyahu’s visit with Trumpend of list“You have a president that refuses to give him a pardon. I think that man should be ashamed of himself,” Trump said of Herzog.He added that Israelis should pressure Herzog to grant the pardon to Netanyahu.“He’s disgraceful for not giving it. He should give it,” Trump said.Trump’s comments come a day after he hosted Netanyahu at the White House – the two leaders’ seventh meeting since the US president returned to power last year.The accusations against Netanyahu include receiving lavish gifts as bribes and discussing deals with the owners of media outlets for favourable coverage of his government.His first trial started in 2020 but the legal proceedings have been repeatedly disrupted by the geopolitical upheaval in the region, including Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.The US has previously called on Herzog – whose role is largely ceremonial but gives him pardoning powers – to grant amnesty to Netanuahu.But with Thursday’s rebuke of the Israeli president, Trump appears to be asserting himself directly in the country’s domestic politics.The push for pardoning Netanyahu highlight the exceptional ties between Trump and Netanyahu – two right-wing politicians who have demonstrated a remarkable ability to survive scandals and legal problems.