Rod Blagojevich thanks Donald Trump for prison release – video

The former Democratic Illinois governor called himself a ‘Trumpocrat’ as he thanked Donald Trump for commuting his prison sentence, praising Trump’s ‘kind heart’. Blagojevich had been recorded trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama when he became president, but Trump has claimed it did not happen

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Illinois’ Republican congressmen write Trump opposing Blagojevich mercy

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich with former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones and former state Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg at the Illinois Executive Mansion in 2007. (John Mintier Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich with former Illinois Senate President Emil Jones and former state Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg at the Illinois Executive Mansion in 2007.

Kim Kardashian West’s White House visit leads to clemency for Alice Johnson

President Donald Trump on Wednesday commuted the sentence of Alice Johnson, a woman serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense whose cause was championed last week by Kim Kardashian West during a visit to the Oval Office. Johnson, 63, was convicted and sentenced to life without parole in 1996 for her role in a cocaine-trafficking operation in Tennessee.

Blagojevich files paperwork asking Trump to commute sentence

Illinois' imprisoned ex-governor, Rod Blagojevich, has filed paperwork asking President Donald Trump to commute his 14-year prison term for corruption that included seeking to sell an appointment to the Senate seat Barack Obama vacated to become president. A spokesman for Blagojevich's lawyers told the Chicago Tribune it was submitted Tuesday to the Department of Justice.

Trump pardons: Celebrity connections, conservative causes

In this March 14, 2012 file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, with his wife Patti at his side, speaks to the media in Chicago before reporting to federal prison in Denver. President Donald Trump says he is considering commuting the sentence of ex- Gov. Blagojevich and pardoning Martha Stewart.

Trump pardons favor the celeb-connected, conservative causes

President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned a conservative commentator he claims "was treated very unfairly by our government!" and announced he's thinking about clemency for Martha Stewart and former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, among "lots" of other people. "What they did to him was horrible," Trump told reporters, speaking of his decision to clear the name of Dinesh D'Souza, who had pleaded guilty to campaign finance fraud.

Trump Says He May Pardon Fellow Westchester Estate Owner Martha Stewart

President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that he is considering pardoning Martha Stewart and commuting former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's sentence. Trump floated the idea of pardoning or commuting the sentences of the two former "Apprentice" series stars on May 31, just hours after he pardoned the conservative author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza.

MAGAWorld and Media Agree That Trump’s String of Pardons May Extend to Russia Probe

President Trump on Thursday tweeted that he planned to pardon conservative filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza. Later in the day, the president told reporters that he was considering extending the pardon to Martha Stewart, and maybe even commuting the prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Trump mulls commuting Blagojevicha s term, pardoning Stewart

President Donald Trump said Thursday he's considering commuting the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of corruption, and pardoning lifestyle entrepreneur Martha Stewart, who served a stint in federal prison after being convicted of charges related to a stock sale. Hours earlier, Trump said on Twitter that he will pardon conservative commentator and Obama critic Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance fraud.

The Latest: Lawyer says Blagojevicha s sentence was too harsh

A trial attorney for imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich says she's excited that President Donald Trump is considering commuting the Democrat's 14-year prison sentence for corruption. Lauren Kaeseberg tells The Associated Press the sentence was too harsh.

Trump says he will pardon Dinesh D’Souza, an Obama critic who violated campaign limits

President Trump said Thursday he would pardon conservative commentator Dinesh D'Souza - and said he was considering clemency of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and lifestyle guru Martha Stewart as well. "Will be giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D'Souza today.

Appeals court refuses to dismiss Schock corruption charges

In this April 18, 2018, photo, former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock walks out of the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, refused to toss corruption charges against Schock, saying it can't assess whether his prosecution violated constitutional separation-of-powers clauses until after he goes to trial.

Supreme Court again refuses to hear Blagojevich appeal

In this March 14, 2012, file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to the media outside his home in Chicago as his wife, Patti, wipes away tears a day before he was to report to a prison after his conviction on corruption charges. On Monday, April 16, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal and let stand the convictions and 14-year prison term that Blagojevich is serving.

Big question in Democratic Illinois gubernatorial race: Can anyone stop Pritzker?

Illinois Democratic gubernatorial candidates Robert Marshall Tio Hardiman, Chris Kennedy, J.B. Pritzker, Bob Daiber and Sen. Daniel Biss participate in a debate Friday in Chicago. The nominee will face either Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner or his conservative challenger, state Rep. Jeanne Ives, in November.