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The New York Times is reporting that President Donald Trump is “strongly considering” commuting the 14-year prison sentence of Rod R. Blagojevich, citing remarks he made on Air Force One as well as two people familiar with the president's plans.
Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor, was convicted of trying to trade President Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat for personal gain.
The Times reports that Trump described the incriminating phone call in which Blagojevich was taped discussing selling the seat as mostly a minor offense and something “many” politicians have done.
Source: (NPR - Chicago) Trump on Blago: 'I'm thinking of commuting his sentence'
Additional Reference: (Wikipedia) Rod Blagojevich corruption charges
I presented my OP using NPR, rather than the original NYT source, due to the NYT paywall restrictions. Here's a link to the NYT article:
(NYT) Trump Suggests He’s Likely to Commute Sentence of Rod Blagojevich
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Quite honestly, I'm aghast. What is Trump thinking, here? Blago is the "worst of the worst!". He's literally the personification of the crooked pol on the make, selling-out his citizenry to line his pockets via criminal graft & corruption!
And what is with the last very paragraph, I quoted above? The one where Trump claims Blago's actions were "minor", and that "many politicians do it". What??? Is Trump condoning, or trivializing this type of corruption?
In a state/county/city that is synonymous with corruption, a local jury of 12 peer citizens found Blago guilty-beyond-doubt of 17 of 20 felony charges! Felonies! Think about it: It was Chicagoans that found him to be crooked! Chicagoans!
Prior to his trial & conviction, the good people of Illinois had the good sense to impeach & removed Blago from office! He literally sold appointed seats to the highest bidder, including a Senate seat. Sold for hard cash for his pockets, and for high-paying political government appointments for his wife & family members to line their pockets further.
Blago is the sleaziest & swampiest criminal the crooked swamp has to offer. The good citizens of Illinois worked extremely hard to get him off the street, out of government, and behind bars. It is my strong belief that Trump should not over-turn the will of the people that suffered under Blago & his cronies, but should rather respect the wishes of the citizens as represented through the actions of the jury.