U.S. Condemns South Africa’s Expulsion of Israeli Diplomat Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions 
Trump, Petro Discuss Sanctions and Strengthening U.S.–Colombia Relations After Oval Office Meeting 
Russian Missile and Drone Attacks Hit Kyiv and Other Ukrainian Cities, Causing Widespread Damage 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Citigroup Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Harassment by Top Wealth Executive 
Google Seeks Delay on Data-Sharing Order as It Appeals Landmark Antitrust Ruling 
Trump Extends AGOA Trade Program for Africa Through 2026, Supporting Jobs and U.S.-Africa Trade 
Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
Stephen Miran Resigns as White House Economic Adviser Amid Federal Reserve Tenure 
Venezuela and U.S. Move Toward Renewed Diplomatic Relations 
Brazil Supreme Court Orders Asset Freeze of Nelson Tanure Amid Banco Master Investigation 
Netanyahu Warns U.S. Envoy Iran Unlikely to Honor Nuclear Deal as Talks Resume 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
DOJ Sues Virginia Over Failure to Provide Full Voter Registration Records 
UN Peacekeepers to Deploy Ceasefire Monitoring Team to Eastern Congo After Doha Talks 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
Trump Spoke With FBI Agents After Georgia Election Office Search, Report Says 
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat and one-time contestant on "Celebrity Apprentice," has been pardoned by President Donald Trump. Blagojevich was convicted of corruption for attempting to sell or trade Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat after Obama won the 2008 presidential election.
Blagojevich was removed from office in 2009 and sentenced to 14 years in prison. However, in 2020, Trump commuted his sentence, calling the case a "terrible injustice." The former governor had previously sought a sentence reduction, but the Supreme Court rejected his appeal in 2018. His prison term was originally set to run until 2026.
Blagojevich, who appeared on Trump's reality TV show in 2010 while awaiting trial, has long claimed he was the victim of a politically motivated prosecution. Trump’s decision to pardon him aligns with his broader criticisms of federal law enforcement, particularly regarding high-profile corruption cases.
The pardon reignites debates over political corruption and presidential clemency, as Blagojevich’s case was one of the most notorious in recent U.S. political history. While some view the pardon as a correction of an excessive sentence, others argue it undermines efforts to hold public officials accountable.
Blagojevich's release adds to Trump’s history of controversial pardons and commutations, reflecting his stance on criminal justice and political prosecutions.
