Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich holds news conference | USA TODAY

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich holds a news conference after his release from federal prison.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich walked out of federal prison late Tuesday evening and flew back to Chicago after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence.

Speaking to Chicago TV station WGN-TV, Blagojevich said he was "grateful" to Trump.

"He didn’t have to do this, he’s a Republican president and I was a Democratic governor. I’ll have a lot more to say tomorrow.” Blagojevich, 63, told WGN-TV in an interview on the Denver airport tram on his way out of Colorado.

Blagojevich, a Democrat and one-time contestant on "The Celebrity Apprentice," had been serving a 14-year sentence in a Colorado federal prison. He was convicted in 2011 of federal charges of using his powers as governor to extract campaign money and other political favors in exchange for naming a successor to fill the Illinois Senate seat left open when Barack Obama became president, but Trump objected to the length of his sentence.

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#rodblagojevich #trump

[AccordionJoe]

Blago showed class in his press conference. I think he still has a future in politics.

[ceemac]

"Persecution masquerading as Prosecution"! What a great quote!

[herdondoozer]

14 F'ing years for what? Trump is the greatest president we have ever had.

[mrob]

The ignorant people are pathetic and why we're suffering.
A complete and utter disgrace to allow the dismantling of the justice system.

[DavidD]

Hasn't lost his gift of gab that's for sure.

[nancywood]

This is a slap in the face to the people of Illinois

[gardensofthegods]

That was a really beautiful speech he made and I'm glad I watched that was fascinating the story about his father . I'm so glad he also spoke out against the horrible privatized system of Prisons we have here and I'm glad he really pointed out some hard statistics .
More people need to do their research and know about how horrible the privatized prison system is here and how it ties in with Manufacturing and I'm not just talkin about license plates .
( and Google YouTube have been demoting my comments for almost a week now... as soon as I post them I count down and they're coming in around 21st when no new comments are coming yesterday they were coming in 41 .
Big brother is alive and well with the censorship and burying comments.... I have been discussing this with several people .)

Another good deed done by our President Trump
Trump 2020+Trump 2024

[re-creatorcreator]

God bless president #Trump2020 God bless Rod Blagojevich !

[Georgian]

I did feel bad for him, being taken away from his family, his kids were so young and he missed those critical years when they were at the final stages of childhood. Heartbreaking. I’m glad he can be with his family now and learn from any past mistakes. We all deserve second chances to turn things around.

[jamesjohnson]

I live how he he trying to say he helped Illinois he didn't do shit for Illinois and he don't need to sit here and say he did he's afucking criminal and should have been left in jail

[davidbusk]

THANK GOD FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP ! Gov Rod is going to have a great comeback

[kathrynvestalvestal]

I remember Rod how I met you downtown at a dinner and I shook your hand you are never guilty that you were friend and Miss pestle never did like what they did to you and my older sister I need a love to as the governor of Illinois your wife to was so sweet to me you will go a long ways you'll be just fine with God's help

[stgriff]

why was anyone covering this? who knos his new address so he can be welcomed correctly.

[veralynguillory]

Thank God He turn this situation around. Congratulations to you. You took a hard lick. But you are free now

[franrushie.]

I never get tired of hearing Rod’s story…. I’m glad Trump pardoned him… just like I want Trump to pardon all the 1/6 political Hostages…

[kathrynvestalvestal]

You are right certainly indeed God is always the way nobody can hurt anybody you'll be just fine your wife is a real sweetheart for standing by you

[marilyneasterly]

"Hope, is better than dispare"!!!

[ritalane]

Humbled man, glad he’s home, he paid his dues

[e.k.borchgrevink]

Jesus said in John 5:39... Search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are they that testify of Me. And Deuteronomy 4:29 says... If you search for God with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul, you will find Him.