Trump says he might commute Rod Blagojevich's prison sentence: 'He was treated unbelievably unfairly'
President Trump is considering commuting the prison sentence of Rod Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor who was convicted on 18 corruption charges after trying to sell a Senate seat, maintaining that he was treated "unbelievably unfairly," The New York Times reports.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One late on Wednesday that he is "strongly considering" this move, with two sources telling the Times the president this week made plans to commute Blagojevich's sentence.
"He's been in jail for seven years over a phone call where nothing happens — over a phone call which he shouldn’t have said what he said, but it was braggadocio you would say," Trump said, per the Times. "I would think that there have been many politicians — I’m not one of them by the way — that have said a lot worse over the telephone."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Blagojevich was recorded saying of the Senate seat that former President Obama was set to vacate upon being elected, "I've got this thing, and it's f--ing golden. I'm just not giving it up for f--ing nothing." He was subsequently impeached and convicted on multiple corruption charges receiving a 14-year prison sentence. Blagojevich in 2010 was a contestant on Trump's show The Celebrity Apprentice; Trump fired him after four weeks.
"His wife, I think, is fantastic and I’m thinking about commuting his sentence very strongly," Trump said. "I think it’s enough, seven years." The Times reports that although this idea has long been discussed in the administration, with Jared Kushner even suggesting a full pardon, "aides have hoped to keep Mr. Trump from announcing such a move for as long as possible."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published