President Trump pardoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of corruption, including attempting to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat.
Blagojevich, who served from 2003 to 2009, was accused of using the Illinois government for personal gain.
In 2011, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison, serving eight before Trump commuted his sentence.
Blagojevich, who had been impeached and ousted in 2009, later called himself a “Trump-ocrat” and thanked Trump for his release
, NPR has reported.
The pardon faced criticism from Illinois lawmakers, who argued that convicted officials should serve their full sentences.
Written by B.C. Begley
B.C. Begley 