CHICAGO — With 20 minutes to spare, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich landed in Chicago the same day his 14-year prison sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump, signing autographs at O’Hare International Airport as he continued to insist on his innocence.
Repeating, “There’s no place like home,” Blagojevich stepped off the jetway bridge and immediately thanked Trump.
“I’m profoundly grateful to President Trump, and I will be for as long as I live,” Blagojevich told reporters. “He didn’t have to do this. He’s a Republican president. I was a Democratic governor. But he’s a man who’s not only tough and outspoken, strong, but he has a kind heart. And I’ll be forever grateful.”
The abrupt journey home began when Trump announced Tuesday that the disgraced Chicago Democrat would be freed from federal prison following years of imploring from Blagojevich and his wife. Now 63, Blagojevich was scheduled to be released in March 2024 after being convicted of trying to sell former President Barack Obama’s Senate seat as well as shaking down the executives of a children’s hospital and the horse-racing industry for campaign contributions.
Blagojevich’s attitude toward his charges reflected his new benefactor, Trump, who denied any wrongdoing during his own impeachment trial. Echoing the president’s accusations of “witch hunt,” Blagojevich said it was in fact he who was the victim of a shakedown and false accusations.
“I had a unique opportunity to represent Congress and be (Illinois’) governor for six years and fight for things I truly believe is good for people,” he said, adding “the fight” now was against the “people that did this to me” and to regain the public’s trust.
“That if I were to give in to the pressure and give in to the shakedown that was done to me, that I would be violating my oath of office to fight for the Constitution and fight for the rule of law and keep my promises to (the public),” he said. “Cause I didn’t do the things they said I did. And they lied on me.”
Because Blagojevich’s sentence was commuted and not pardoned, he remains a felon. He said he intends to fight for criminal justice reform after his time in prison, though he did not elaborate on how, beyond a desire to share his experience and provide insights on what he learned.
After christening himself as a “Trump-ocrat,” Blagojevich also credited his wife’s devotion to his sudden freedom.
“I love her,” Blagojevich said. “I made a lot of mistakes in my life. But the best thing I ever did was falling in love and being in love with Patti, and I can’t wait to see her and our daughters Amy and Annie. It’s been a long time.”
Before Trump stunned the Illinois political world and beyond by commuting the impeached ex-governor’s 14-year sentence, he dangled the possibility about two years ago and ignited his family’s hopes of an early release. He publicly mused over freeing Blagojevich and criticized the length of his sentence, most recently in August while aboard Air Force One.
Patti Blagojevich wasted no time in appealing to the president, appearing on Fox News multiple times to praise Trump and deride his opponents. She did not speak to reporters Tuesday, but tweeted the family would hold a press conference Wednesday morning outside their Ravenswood house.
Rod Blagojevich said he spoke with his wife and two daughters multiple times Tuesday and that they were thrilled.
Their enthusiasm was not returned by other politicians in Chicago and Illinois, who across the spectrum derided Trump’s decision.
“Illinoisans have endured far too much corruption, and we must send a message to politicians that corrupt practices will no longer be tolerated,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “President Trump has abused his pardon power in inexplicable ways to reward his friends and condone corruption, and I deeply believe this pardon sends the wrong message at the wrong time.”
