Trump has just announced that he commuted the sentence of Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted for trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat:
Trump just confirmed reports he has commuted the sentence of Rod Blagojevich, noting that the former Illinois governor is a Democrat, and was once a contestant on "The Apprentice" pic.twitter.com/YZQVqhwKk0
— QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake) February 18, 2020
Trump says he served eight years in jail and had a long time to go, suggesting his sentence went too far. He added the prosecution was by Comey, Fitzpatrick, “the same group.” Trump says that even though Blagojevich was on the Apprentice, he doesn’t know him that well.
Trump also reportedly said he pardoned Bernie Kerik:
Trump also says he’s pardoned Bernie Kerik, who appeared on Fox News last night.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 18, 2020
Earlier today, Trump pardoned the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers:
President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal who built one of the most successful NFL teams in the game’s history.
DeBartolo, who owned the San Francisco 49ers during their 1980s-1990s dynasty, was involved in one of the biggest owners’ scandals in the sport’s history. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license.
The White House announced the surprise decision to reporters on Tuesday, with NFL greats Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Ronnie Lott and Charles Haley in attendance.
“You know what, we all make mistakes and today the president cleared that mistake from him,” said Haley, an NFL Hall of Fame defensive end who played on two of DeBartolo’s Super Bowl winning teams.
Trump has no fear. Most presidents save their pardons until it won’t have a negative impact on them electorally speaking.