Trump says a pardon in Netanyahu's corruption cases is ‘on its way’, President Herzog’s office denies claim

During their meeting on Monday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump again called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be pardoned in the corruption cases in which he is currently on trial. 

Asked by a reporter if he thought Netanyahu would receive a pardon, Trump responded, “Oh, I think he will. How do you not?” he asked. “He’s a war-time prime minister who’s a hero, how do you not give a pardon?” 

NOW - Trump says Israeli President to pardon Netanyahu: "He's a wartime prime minister who's a hero—how do you not give a pardon?! ...It's on it's way." pic.twitter.com/bVRIjEfy4Y

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) December 29, 2025

Trump also claimed, in response to a different question, in the press briefing after his meeting with Netanyahu, that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had assured him a pardon for Netanyahu was “on its way.” 

Trump claimed that he spoke to Herzog about the pardon, and was assured it was coming. 

“I spoke to the president and it’s – he tells me it’s on its way,” Trump said. “You can’t do better than that, right?” 

However, shortly after his remarks were broadly reported, Herzog’s office denied that any decision on the pardon had been made. 

Earlier this year, Trump sent a letter to Herzog requesting a pardon for Netanyahu, calling the corruption trial stemming from a 2019 indictment a “political, unjustified prosecution.” 

During his visit to Israel to announce the start of the Gaza ceasefire and the beginning of a new peace plan for the region, Trump also called for Netanyahu to be pardoned, calling him a "great hero."

Netanyahu is on trial in several corruption cases, facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He has denied all charges, and maintains that the indictment is an act of political persecution by opponents. 

Addressing Herzog personally in the letter, Trump wrote, “Isaac, we have established a great relationship, one that I am very thankful for and honored by, and we agreed as soon as I was inaugurated in January that the focus had to be centered on finally bringing the hostages home and getting the peace agreement done.”

“Now that we have achieved these unprecedented successes, and are keeping Hamas in check, it is time to let Bibi unite Israel by pardoning him, and ending that lawfare once and for all,” Trump wrote, concluding with his signature phrase, “Thank you for your attention to this matter.” 

After receiving that letter, Herzog’s office publicly stated that despite Trump’s “unwavering support for Israel,” any pardon request must follow established Israeli legal procedures. In Israel, only the person accused, or immediate family members can petition for a pardon. While not legally required, previous pardon requests have always involved an admission of guilt. 

Several weeks after Trump’s letter, Netanyahu himself submitted a request for a pardon, citing the need for national unity and stating that the frequent trial appearances have hampered his ability to lead the nation during a tumultuous time. Remarkably, that request did not contain any admission of guilt, or any promise to depart public politics, as many of his detractors had hoped for. 

After receiving Netanyahu's request, Herzog said the request would be weighed in light of the "best interests" of the country.