The media reported threats from the deputy head of the Pentagon at closed meetings with the Vatican

During closed-door talks with the Vatican, Pentagon Deputy Chief of Policy Elbridge Colby gave representatives of the Holy See a "bitter lecture" on US military power in order to gain the Vatican's favor by pressure. This was announced on April 9 by the media company The Free Press (FP).

"Representatives of the US Department of Defense have summoned a senior Vatican diplomat to the Pentagon. What happened in that room set the tone for everything that followed: Vatican officials <...> described it as a bitter lecture warning that the United States has the military power to do whatever it wants — and that the Church had better take their side," the publication says.

The authors of the material added that the Holy See is probably the only international institution whose support the United States is trying to enlist — the Pope's words or silence may serve to legitimize the actions of the White House, which the administration of US President Donald Trump itself is unable to provide.

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On March 6, the Axios portal reported on Trump's pressure on the Israeli president. The American leader demanded that Yitzhak Herzog immediately close the judicial investigation into corruption against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The president added that the criminal case distracts Netanyahu from military tasks.

In November 2025, Trump sent an official letter to Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog urging him to consider pardoning Netanyahu. The American leader stressed that Netanyahu had shown firmness in defending Israel's interests, and his attention should not be distracted by court proceedings.

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