BREAKING: Trump Says Netanyahu Will Not Be Arrested in the U.S. During His Presidency as Mamdani Reaffirms ICC Position
U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be arrested on American soil while he remains in office, responding to renewed controversy over comments made by New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
Trump said his administration would not permit any effort to detain Netanyahu inside the United States, dismissing calls for enforcing the ICC’s warrant against the Israeli leader.
The remarks come after Mamdani stated earlier this week that, if elected Mayor of New York City, he would honor his campaign pledge to support the enforcement of international law, including cooperating with authorities should Netanyahu visit the city.
Responding to Trump’s criticism on Monday, Mamdani defended his position, saying:
“Netanyahu, as the Prime Minister of Israel, is responsible for what I view as the genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. I believe that if the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for someone accused of such crimes, that warrant should be enforced.”
Mamdani’s comments reflect his long-standing position that international legal decisions should be respected, while Trump reiterated his strong support for Netanyahu and rejected any possibility of the Israeli prime minister being detained in the United States during his presidency.
The exchange highlights the growing political divide in the United States over the war in Gaza, U.S. support for Israel, and the role of international legal institutions such as the ICC. Trump’s administration has consistently opposed the ICC’s actions against Israeli officials, whereas critics of Israel’s military campaign have argued that international accountability mechanisms should be upheld.
The issue is expected to remain a contentious topic in American politics, particularly as debates over U.S. foreign policy toward Israel and the Gaza conflict continue.