Latest news with #Blagojevich
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Here are all of the celebrities Trump has pardoned so far
President Donald Trump added to his list of pardoned celebrities this week, including reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley and rapper NBA YoungBoy. Trump's pardons and commutations in his first term and so far in his second feature a number of public figures, including several rappers and an actor who participated in the Jan. 6 riots. Here's a list of celebrity pardons granted by Trump so far. The stars of "Chrisley Knows Best," which ran for 10 seasons on the USA Network, were released from prison Wednesday after being granted their presidential pardons. The Chrisleys were convicted in 2022 of swindling $36 million out of banks in the Atlanta area and committing years of tax evasion. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years and Julie Chrisley to 7 years. The president claimed the couple was "prosecuted because they were celebrities.' Rapper NBA YoungBoy, whose legal name is Kentrell Gaulden, was pardoned by Trump on Wednesday. Gaulden was sentenced to two years in prison in 2024 after acknowledging he possessed weapons despite being a convicted felon, according to The Associated Press. "I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist," the rapper said in a statement posted to social media on Wednesday. The former Illinois governor was pardoned on Feb. 10 following convictions of wire fraud, lying to an FBI agent, extortion attempts and soliciting bribes more than a decade ago. Blagojevich, a Democrat, was impeached and removed from office in 2009. But in between trials and before receiving his 14-year sentence, Blagojevich also appeared on Trump's reality TV show, "Celebrity Apprentice," as a contestant in 2010. Trump commuted Blagojevich's sentence in 2020. The "Anchorman" and "Mr. Show" actor and comedian was one of the 1,500 pardons and commuted sentences Trump issued in January to those involved with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Johnston was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day for obstructing officers during a civil disorder, a felony offense, in October. Even before his sentencing, Johnston lost his role voicing a character on the animated show "Bob's Burgers." Hip hop star Lil Wayne, whose legal name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was one of Trump's 143 last-minute pardons and commuted sentences of his first term. The "Lollipop" rapper pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge in December 2020 after carrying a handgun on a private jet from California to Florida. Carter was previously convicted on felony weapon charges, making it illegal for him to possess firearms under federal law. Carter is also the founder and CEO of record label Young Money Entertainment. Rapper and singer Kodak Black, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was pardoned alongside Lil Wayne at the end of Trump's first term. The "No Flockin" singer was sentenced to 46 months in prison on federal weapon charges after admitting he falsified information on federal forms to purchase firearms, obtaining two handguns and one semiautomatic weapon. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Blagojevich roasts Dems: Calls Schiff the ‘Elvis' of liars, says party preferred 'coma' patient to Harris
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich lambasted his Democratic Party as an unethical organization that collectively bolstered a "coma" patient over other contenders in order to advance their own political ends, and that they feature a "Hall of Fame for Liars" headlined by Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. Asked by Fox News' Jesse Watters about his response to characterizations that Democrats preferred to cover-up former President Joe Biden's infirmities rather than move on from him or accept President Donald Trump, Blagojevich said, "I'd say that guy hates the American people and hates his constituents and hates even Democratic voters." "Shouldn't we all wish good things for our country? Isn't it right to hope that a president, even the one from the other party, can succeed to do good things for his country and good things for people?" Blagojevich said that proves Democrats "don't care about America," and quoted Tennessee Williams' line that "the only thing worse than a liar is a liar that's also a hypocrite." Adam Schiff Tells Epa's Zeldin He'll Cause Cancer, After Sheldon Whitehouse Shoutfest "If they have any sense of patriotism… they ought to try to … atone for their sins…" Read On The Fox News App Blagojevich said Democrats could have used the 25th Amendment to oust Biden and keep a Democrat in the White House; then-Vice President Kamala Harris; but instead believed, "maybe we're better off with a brain-dead Biden as president than her." "They'd rather have a comatose Biden than Kamala Harris," Watters quipped in return. Blagojevich added that by contrast, Trump has been lied about in regard to Russian collusion and the Stormy Daniels affair, and that it should be Democrats considered the bigger mistruth-tellers. "Nobody who has any common sense could believe anything they say," he said. Kash Patel Enrages Adam Schiff In Clintonian Battle Over The Word 'We', And A January 6 Song "And the king of the Democratic liars is Adam Schiff. If there was a Hall of Fame for liars, like, let's say, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Adam Schiff would be Elvis." Blagojevich, imprisoned following his 2008 ejection from office by the Illinois State Senate on claims he tried to "sell" then-Sen. Barack Obama's seat, saw his federal sentence commuted by Trump after eight years served. The former governor has long maintained his innocence – previously telling Fox News he never tried to sell what became then-Sen. Roland Burris', D-Ill., seat, and instead was a victim of malicious prosecution grounded in politics over proof. He has compared his prosecution to Trump's own legal issues, as both men alleged politicized proceedings from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and New York State Attorney General Letitia James, respectively. "I know what they did to me, and I do know they did the same thing to Trump," he told FOX-32 in article source: Blagojevich roasts Dems: Calls Schiff the 'Elvis' of liars, says party preferred 'coma' patient to Harris
Fox News
4 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Blagojevich roasts Dems: Calls Schiff the ‘Elvis' of liars, says party preferred 'coma' patient to Harris
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich lambasted his Democratic Party as an unethical organization that collectively bolstered a "coma" patient over other contenders in order to advance their own political ends, and that they feature a "Hall of Fame for Liars" headlined by Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. Asked by Fox News' Jesse Watters about his response to characterizations that Democrats preferred to cover-up former President Joe Biden's infirmities rather than move on from him or accept President Donald Trump, Blagojevich said, "I'd say that guy hates the American people and hates his constituents and hates even Democratic voters." "Shouldn't we all wish good things for our country? Isn't it right to hope that a president, even the one from the other party, can succeed to do good things for his country and good things for people?" Blagojevich said that proves Democrats "don't care about America," and quoted Tennessee Williams' line that "the only thing worse than a liar is a liar that's also a hypocrite." "If they have any sense of patriotism… they ought to try to … atone for their sins…" Blagojevich said Democrats could have used the 25th Amendment to oust Biden and keep a Democrat in the White House; then-Vice President Kamala Harris; but instead believed, "maybe we're better off with a brain-dead Biden as president than her." "They'd rather have a comatose Biden than Kamala Harris," Watters quipped in return. Blagojevich added that by contrast, Trump has been lied about in regard to Russian collusion and the Stormy Daniels affair, and that it should be Democrats considered the bigger mistruth-tellers. "Nobody who has any common sense could believe anything they say," he said. "And the king of the Democratic liars is Adam Schiff. If there was a Hall of Fame for liars, like, let's say, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Adam Schiff would be Elvis." Blagojevich, imprisoned following his 2008 ejection from office by the Illinois State Senate on claims he tried to "sell" then-Sen. Barack Obama's seat, saw his federal sentence commuted by Trump after eight years served. The former governor has long maintained his innocence – previously telling Fox News he never tried to sell what became then-Sen. Roland Burris', D-Ill., seat, and instead was a victim of malicious prosecution grounded in politics over proof. He has compared his prosecution to Trump's own legal issues, as both men alleged politicized proceedings from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and New York State Attorney General Letitia James, respectively. "I know what they did to me, and I do know they did the same thing to Trump," he told FOX-32 in February.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Blagojevich has new job working for ‘Bosnian Bear' politician with ties to Putin
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, fresh off a pardon from President Donald Trump, has a new job representing the interests of a politician known as the "Bosnian Bear," who also has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Blagojevich, who was pardoned by Trump in February, has agreed to lobby on behalf of the Republic of Srpska, a Serb-majority territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Politico reported. The region has long been mired in ethnic tension. "RRB Strategies LLC will provide communications and public affairs support on behalf of the Republic of Srpska," according to the registration statement filed by Blagojevich's firm. Registration is required under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Rod Blagojevich Rips Biden, Democrats For Lying About Pardoning Hunter: Made 'Chumps Of The American People' In a post on Wednesday, Blagojevich said Interpol, the global police organization, denied a request from "the unelected Bosnian High Representative to arrest Milorad Dodik, known as the 'Bosnian Bear' for his big physique, the duly elected President of the Republic of Srpska." Read On The Fox News App Interpol's denial came as Dodik traveled to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to attend a conference on how to combat antsemitism, the former governor said. Earlier this week, Blagojevich said left-wing courts, prosecutors and officials were trying to "jail populist conservative leaders elected by the people & bar them from holding office." He cited efforts to push back against Trump, Marine Le Pen in France and Dodik, who has long advocated for Srpska to separate from Bosnia and Herzegovina and join Serbia. Trump Pardons Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich: 'He Was Set Up By A Lot Of Bad People' In February, he was sentenced to a year in prison for defying the country's Constitutional Court. He has since fled to Moscow. In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Dodik was undermining Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions and threatening its security and stability. "Our nation encourages political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to engage in constructive and responsible dialogue," he said. "We call on our partners in the region to join us in pushing back against this dangerous and destabilizing behavior." Trump reportedly weighed tapping Blagojevich to serve as U.S. ambassador to Serbia before picking former Arizona Attorney General Mark article source: Blagojevich has new job working for 'Bosnian Bear' politician with ties to Putin
Fox News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Blagojevich has new job working for ‘Bosnian Bear' politician with ties to Putin
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, fresh off a pardon from President Donald Trump, has a new job representing the interests of a politician known as the "Bosnian Bear," who also has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Blagojevich, who was pardoned by Trump in February, has agreed to lobby on behalf of the Republic of Srpska, a Serb-majority territory in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Politico reported. The region has long been mired in ethnic tension. "RRB Strategies LLC will provide communications and public affairs support on behalf of the Republic of Srpska," according to the registration statement filed by Blagojevich's firm. Registration is required under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. In a post on Wednesday, Blagojevich said Interpol, the global police organization, denied a request from "the unelected Bosnian High Representative to arrest Milorad Dodik, known as the 'Bosnian Bear' for his big physique, the duly elected President of the Republic of Srpska." Interpol's denial came as Dodik traveled to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to attend a conference on how to combat antsemitism, the former governor said. Earlier this week, Blagojevich said left-wing courts, prosecutors and officials were trying to "jail populist conservative leaders elected by the people & bar them from holding office." He cited efforts to push back against Trump, Marine Le Pen in France and Dodik, who has long advocated for Srpska to separate from Bosnia and Herzegovina and join Serbia. In February, he was sentenced to a year in prison for defying the country's Constitutional Court. He has since fled to Moscow. In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Dodik was undermining Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions and threatening its security and stability. "Our nation encourages political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to engage in constructive and responsible dialogue," he said. "We call on our partners in the region to join us in pushing back against this dangerous and destabilizing behavior." Trump reportedly weighed tapping Blagojevich to serve as U.S. ambassador to Serbia before picking former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.
