President Donald Trump commuted the sentence of Illinois-based Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday sentenced to 14 years in prison for trying to sell the senator's seat left vacant by Barack Obama.
This decision, accompanied by dozens of other commutations and graces, fueled speculation about the will of the republican billionaire to use this sovereign right in favor of some of his loved ones who were imprisoned or about to be.
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All eyes are on Washington in the case of Roger Stone, who advised Donald Trump before and during his presidential campaign, and was found guilty of lying to Congress and defrauding a witness in the investigation of the interference Russian in the 2016 American election.
The commutation means that Rod Blagojevich can be released from prison, but that his conviction is not erased.
“ He spent eight years in prison, it's a long time. He looks like someone very good, I don't know him, "said Mr. Trump during an exchange with the journalists before flying to Las Vegas.
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After his election to the White House in 2008, Barack Obama had resigned from the Senate. However, in case of vacancy, it is the governor of the state concerned to appoint a new senator until the next senatorial election.
Rod Blagojevich, who then occupied this position, had tried to monetize this seat by claiming in exchange for positions that were highly placed or very well paid for him and his wife.
Asked about his willingness to grant pardon to some of his relatives, Mr. Trump remained elusive. Could Roger Stone be on the next list? " I haven't thought about it, " he replied. " I think he was treated very unfairly, " he added, however.