Rod Blagojevich Expresses Gratitude for Trump Pardon and Reflects on His Political Journey

Rod Blagojevich Expresses Gratitude for Trump Pardon and Reflects on His Political Journey

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has publicly shared his deep appreciation for President Donald Trump after receiving a presidential pardon. Blagojevich, who spent nearly eight years in federal prison due to corruption charges, including an attempt to sell or exchange Barack Obama’s Senate seat, expressed his gratitude during a recent interview.

In an interview on ‘The Story’, Blagojevich acknowledged the significance of the pardon, which came five years after Trump commuted his sentence. He stated, “I just wanna say again how profoundly grateful my family and I are for what President Trump did for us. I have unbelievably warm affection for him. He’s been nothing but kind to me.”

Recollections of a Phone Call with the President

Blagojevich recounted his experiences communicating with Trump over the phone about his pardon, shedding light on their history. The former governor previously participated in Trump’s reality television show, ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’, prior to his conviction in 2011. This connection, he noted, has influenced the nature of their relationship.

“My relationship with him has really been basically him doing good things for me,” Blagojevich asserted. He further emphasized his belief in his innocence, stating, “I didn’t break a law. That so-called sale of the Senate seat was reversed by the appellate court many years later after I sat in prison for a long time.” His comments reflect his intent to pursue full vindication against what he believes were corrupt prosecutors.

Addressing the Allegations

When asked by Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum if he ever engaged in discussions regarding Obama’s former Senate seat, Blagojevich maintained that his conversations were purely political in nature. He asserted, “No, there was none of those things that would be nefarious and criminal. These were political conversations. Obama started them.”

He elaborated that discussions regarding potential political deals had taken place, claiming that Obama wanted Valerie Jarrett to fill his Senate seat. According to Blagojevich, these exchanges were misconstrued, leading to the wrongful accusations against him. He reiterated, “It was never a crime. It was a big lie from the beginning.”

Voicing His Innocence

As he proclaimed his innocence, Blagojevich reiterated his sincere gratitude toward President Trump. “For 14 years, I never took a penny. Nobody said I did. And eventually, here I am today, grateful to President Trump and so excited about my new beginning,” he stated.

His self-referential label as a