Donald Trump has often shown dislike for anything related to Chicago or Illinois, but there are exceptions. One of them is former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who once appeared on Trump’s reality show, “Celebrity Apprentice,” in 2010.
During the show, Trump praised Blagojevich for his determination, saying, “Governor, I have great respect for you. I have great respect for your tenacity, for the fact that you just don’t give up.” Although Trump had to “fire” Blagojevich on the show, he later helped him in real life.
Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption, including trying to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat after Obama became president in 2008. He was also convicted of demanding large campaign donations from a hospital and racetrack owner. However, Trump commuted his sentence at the end of his first term as president. Now, during his second term, Trump has officially pardoned Blagojevich, erasing his conviction entirely.
Trump called Blagojevich a “very fine person” while signing the pardon on Monday. Many others strongly disagree.
Making matters worse, reports suggest that Trump is considering appointing Blagojevich as the U.S. ambassador to Serbia. This wouldn’t be the first time Trump rewarded someone with a criminal past. In 2020, he pardoned Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and later nominated him as ambassador to France.
It raises the question: Can Trump not find people without criminal records to serve as U.S. representatives abroad? His pattern of appointing convicted felons to important positions is troubling—though not surprising, given his own felony conviction.
Trump’s actions show that in his circle, crime doesn’t just pay—it earns rewards. This also applies to the January 6 rioters, many of whom he pardoned last month.
The presidential pardon is meant to protect those who were unfairly convicted or given excessively harsh sentences. However, Trump often uses it to help friends, family, and supporters who broke the law.
Some Americans criticized Joe Biden for pardoning his son, Hunter, on gun and tax charges. While Biden may have been trying to protect his child from political attacks, his decision still set a bad example. However, Trump’s actions go even further. He pardoned Blagojevich, despite clear evidence of corruption, insulting Illinois residents who have already dealt with many corrupt politicians.
While some felt Blagojevich’s original prison sentence was too long, completely absolving him is unfair. Many truly deserving prisoners need pardons—but Blagojevich wasn’t one of them.
