Trump Calls Netanyahu ‘Great Hero,’ Urges Israel To Cancel His Corruption Trial Or Grant Pardon

Published

3 months ago

June 26, 2025

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump criticised the legal proceedings against Netanyahu, labelling them a “witch hunt” — a phrase he frequently uses to describe his own legal troubles in the United States.

United States President Donald Trump has called on Israel to either cancel the ongoing corruption trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or grant him a pardon, describing the embattled Israeli leader as a “great hero” and “warrior.”

“Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State (of Israel),” Trump wrote, claiming he had learned the Israeli leader was scheduled to appear in court next Monday.

Netanyahu, who has been Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases.

He has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty when his trial began in 2020. Cross-examination in the case started on June 3, 2025, and is expected to last about a year, according to Israeli media, according to Reuters.

Under Israeli law, only President Isaac Herzog has the authority to grant a pardon. However, Herzog has reportedly told local media that “a pardon is not currently on the table” and that “no such request had been made” by Netanyahu or his legal team.

Trump went further in his post, claiming, “It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu.”

The former U.S. president did not elaborate on what measures the U.S. could take to support Netanyahu in his legal battle, but the remark was interpreted as a reference to American support for Israeli military operations, including strikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The unusually warm remarks for Netanyahu came just one day after Trump publicly rebuked Israel over its bombing campaign following a ceasefire agreement with Iran. Speaking to reporters, he criticized what he called “the biggest load [of bombs] that we’ve seen” and said: “I’m not happy with Israel.”

He added bluntly: “Iran and Israel have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.”

Goods worth millions of naira destroyed as fire razes factory in Oyo

Published

8 minutes ago

September 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A major fire outbreak on Saturday gutted a four-bedroom apartment converted into a tailoring workshop in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The incident occurred in the early hours at Benjamin, Alabama Junction in the Eleyele axis of Ido Local Government Area, leaving equipment and valuables worth millions of naira destroyed.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said operatives of the agency were swiftly deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call.

“The fire emergency was reported at exactly 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, 20th September, 2025. Once the address was verified, our team, led by ACFS Bamidele Samsudeen, promptly mobilised to the scene,” Akinwande explained.

He urged residents to always give accurate information and report fire emergencies without delay, stressing that quick response is critical to minimizing losses during such incidents.

Troops kill two terrorists, foil kidnapping attempt in Kaduna

Published

3 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Two terrorists have been killed by troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YANMA, during an ambush in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama shared the information on X on Sunday, saying the troops acted on credible intelligence about the movement of the attackers.

According to the Makama, the soldiers from Sub-Sector 5 set up an ambush along the Wake–Kabode–Abrum axis after learning that terrorists were heading from Gabachua high ground towards Insami and Kabode for a planned kidnapping.

“The ambush, which took place around 7:00 a.m., led to the killing of two terrorists,” Makama wrote.

Troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, two extra magazines, a mobile phone, and a motorcycle, which was destroyed at the scene.

‘Kill 10, 20 will rise’ – Bandit leader dares security forces in Katsina

Published

6 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Ummaru, has warned that government military operations targeting bandits could exacerbate insecurity, asserting that any attempt to kill 10 bandits would lead to 20 more emerging in retaliation, while killing 30 could trigger further unrest in cities and villages.

Ummaru made the remarks on Saturday during a peace dialogue between bandit groups and community leaders in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

He urged security operatives to exercise restraint, emphasizing that the dialogue process would only succeed if all parties approached it in good faith.
The meeting, convened to foster peace and reconciliation, comes amid renewed efforts by stakeholders to curb banditry across Katsina and neighbouring states.

Community elders attending the dialogue also called on both bandit groups and security agencies to commit to genuine peace to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.