New details about the behind-the-scenes conversation between the delegation of rebbes and President Trump: In an extraordinary conversation, which took place in the Oval Office of the White House, the president addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rabbi Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin, Iran, and Trump's enormous support for the ultra-Orthodox communities.
The meeting was attended by the two Satmar Rebbe, the Rebbe of Babov, the Rebbe of Vizhnitz-Monsey, the Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood, Rabbi Aryeh Malchiel Kotler, and Rabbi Aharon Mendel Tversky, who represented his father, the Rebbe of Squra.
According to new details published in Ami magazine and quoted on the Yeshiva World website, President Trump at one point suddenly turned to the delegation and asked: "Don't you all like Bibi?"'
At the next stage, the president said humorously: "I send B-2 bombers to Iran, blow them to pieces, and if I didn't do that they would destroy Israel, but I don't get any thanks from you for that. On the other hand, I pardoned that butcher from Iowa... He has a funny name, and everyone is happy.".
Those present reminded Trump that he was referring to Rabbi Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin, and the president wondered: "Is this guy even still alive?""
One of those present told the president how profound the impact of Rubashkin's release had been: "Mr. President, there was wild dancing in the streets of Brooklyn when it happened.".
Trump responded: "Brooklyn? Well, I got 94% of the votes in your precincts.".
The president then explained to the delegation his perspective on the pardon: Trump recalled wondering why Rubashkin, a first-time nonviolent offender, had received a 28-year federal prison sentence. "It was total anti-Semitism. I called the prosecutor and said, 'Why did you give this guy 28 years? He had some illegal immigrants, but who doesn’t? You get a fine, not 28 years.' The prosecutor said, 'He deserved a lot more.' I told him, 'You’re anti-Semitic. I’m pardoning him.'".
