President Donald Trump dropped a diplomatic bombshell in Israel, veering off-script to demand a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a stunning address to the Knesset.
On Monday, Trump not only brokered a historic peace deal leading to the release of remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas but also used his speech to the Israeli parliament to plead for clemency for Netanyahu, who faces bribery charges, while speaking directly to President Isaac Herzog.
Breitbart reported that earlier that day, Trump met with families of hostages in Jerusalem, listening to their heartfelt stories of loss and hope, as shared by The White House.
The timing couldn’t have been more poignant, as the hostages were reunited with loved ones on the very same day, right as Trump stood before the Knesset, according to Breitbart News.
This release marked the first phase of a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization, which Trump personally helped negotiate, per Breitbart News.
Yet, it was his unexpected pivot to Netanyahu’s legal troubles that stole the spotlight and set tongues wagging across the political spectrum.
“Hey, I have an idea. Mr. President, why don’t you give him a pardon? Give him a pardon,” Trump declared, directly addressing Herzog with a casual audacity that’s become his trademark, as reported by Breitbart News.
Let’s be frank: this wasn’t just a suggestion; it was a public pressure play, and the Knesset erupted with applause and chants of “Bibi, Bibi,” per the New York Post. Talk about a room reading the mood.
Trump doubled down, adding, “It just seems to make so much sense. You know whether we like it or not, this has been one of the greatest wartime presidents. Cigars and champagne? Who the hell cares about that?” as quoted by Breitbart News.
Netanyahu’s charges, often described by supporters as petty corruption—like accepting cigars from a friend—have been a lightning rod, with many arguing they’re politically driven.
Even some judges have hinted that prosecutors should drop at least one charge, though the trial drags on, forcing the prime minister to testify amid wartime duties. Critics, however, insist this shows Israel’s commitment to holding leaders accountable.
Trump isn’t new to this fight; back in June, he publicly urged Israel to dismiss the charges altogether, a stance that aligns with his latest Knesset remarks, per Breitbart News.
Look, the idea of a wartime leader being bogged down by what many see as trivial accusations—cigars, really?—feels like a distraction when bigger battles loom. Progressive agendas often push for endless accountability, but at what cost to national focus?
Trump’s plea, while unorthodox, cuts to a core conservative belief: prioritize strength and stability over bureaucratic nitpicking, especially when a nation’s survival is at stake.
It’s a fair point to ponder, even if the optics of a foreign leader meddling in domestic law raise eyebrows.