President Donald Trump weighs in as tensions rise over Israeli PM’s upcoming U.S. visit amid International Criminal Court controversy
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has fired back sharply at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s public comments about potentially detaining Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, delivering a direct and forceful message on the matter just days after the mayor’s latest remarks.
The development comes as Netanyahu prepares for a high-profile trip to New York City in September for the United Nations General Assembly, where Mamdani has signaled interest in pursuing an arrest tied to an ICC warrant.
Trump’s Full Statement and Strong Stance
In his announcement, Trump made his position crystal clear: “Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form, while in the United States of America.” He highlighted Netanyahu’s role confronting Iran, which he accused of killing 52,000 innocent protesters recently and decades of attacks on American forces.
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“The only ones that should be arrested are the people that led Iran into this unprecedented SPIRAL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION, something that should have been dealt with years ago, by previous Presidents!” Trump added.
Mamdani’s Comments Spark Backlash
Mamdani, in a recent New York Times podcast interview, said his administration is still reviewing legal options for arresting Netanyahu if he visits the city, calling him a “war criminal” in reference to the 2024 ICC warrant over Gaza operations following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Legal experts widely note that such an effort by city officials would face insurmountable federal barriers. The U.S. is not a party to the ICC’s Rome Statute, and laws protect visiting foreign leaders while barring local enforcement of the court’s warrants.
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Trump’s declaration reinforces the administration’s unwavering support for Israel and rejection of what critics call politicized international lawfare. It also spotlights Iran’s destabilizing role in the region.
As the UN session approaches, all eyes remain on whether Netanyahu will face any interference in New York — and how the White House intends to back its strongest ally.
BrieflyUSA will continue monitoring this fast-developing story.
