Former Democratic governor of Illinois

Rod Blagojevich

a.k.a. “The Senate Seat Salesman”

He was convicted of corruption, including trying to sell the Senate seat Barack Obama left behind. He got 14 years. Trump, whose show he had once competed on, commuted the sentence in 2020. In 2025 he made it a full pardon.

Rap sheet

Convicted of: Wire fraud under color of official right; attempted extortion; soliciting bribes; making false statements [1]
Court: Northern District of Illinois [1]
Sentenced: December 7, 2011: 168 months; $20,000 fine [1]
Granted: Commutation in 2020; full pardon, February 10, 2025 [2][3]

The receipt

PARDONMAXXING ROD BLAGOJEVICH - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wiped off the books

The conviction itself [2] Erased

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Gold is money that was reportedly spent near the President’s orbit. Red is what the grant wiped away. We list what was reported and when. We don’t claim one caused the other. How we count.

Timeline

December 7, 2011 The law Sentenced to 14 years. [1]
February 2020 The pardon Trump commutes his sentence after about eight years served. [3]
February 10, 2025 The pardon Full pardon. [2][3]

Detective’s notes

Commentary

He tried to sell a Senate seat and got caught on tape. Then he got a full pardon for free. Wrong buyer, great timing.

Sources

Clemency grants by President Donald J. Trump, 2025–present (archived Sept. 20, 2026) U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, via the Internet Archive
Signed clemency warrant: Rod Blagojevich U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney · February 10, 2025
Trump pardons Rod Blagojevich NPR · February 10, 2025