Overview

• Trump departed from prepared remarks to ask President Isaac Herzog to issue a pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
• The chamber erupted in cheers and a standing ovation for Netanyahu, though opposition leaders later condemned the plea as inappropriate interference in Israel’s judicial process.
• Trump downplayed the allegations with the line, “Cigars and some champagne — who the hell cares?”, and praised Netanyahu as a “great wartime leader.”
• The address highlighted U.S. mediation of the ceasefire that freed 20 remaining living hostages and initiated an Israeli pullback in Gaza, with large prisoner releases reported.
• Herzog holds the constitutional authority to grant pardons and has not acted on any request, leaving legal and political debate over a possible pardon unresolved.