- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich flew home to Chicago after being released from a prison in Colorado.
- Blagojevich's sentenced was commuted by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. He served eight years of his 14-year sentence.
- In a flurry of interviews before boarding his plane, the former governor said he did not know he was going to be released today. He also said his party affiliation was "Trumpocrat."
- In 2011, he was convicted of 17 corruption-related charges.
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Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich said he was a "Trumpocrat" in an interview following his release.
"He's got a obviously a big fan in me," Blagojevich said according to NBC News. "If you're asking what my party affiliation is, I'm a Trumpocrat."
Blagojevich, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2011 on corruption charges — including trying to sell former president Barack Obama's senate seat — was released after President Donald Trump signed papers commuting his sentence on Tuesday.
He left a federal prison in Colorado to fly home to Chicago after serving eight years of his 14-year sentence.
When reporters asked if he had changed, Blagojevich said, "Misfortune has silvered my hair. That's pretty obvious," according to KCNC-TV.
He told reporters that he learned he was being released from other inmates and news reports. He also said he had no idea it was going to happen. He also said when he found out his first thought was whether he'd be able to go for a run before his release because it helps him stay disciplined.
Blagojevich said the eight years in prison gave him time to get closer to god and he now wants to do good. He now wants to "fight against the corrupt criminal justice system" that could put people into prison for "things that aren't crimes."
Trump had previously been publicly hinting at commuting Blagojevich's sentence. The President said the sentence was unfair and was moved when he saw the former governors wife make appeals on television.
Rod Blagojevich: "He's [Pres. Trump] got a obviously a big fan in me. If you're asking what my party affiliation is... I'm a Trumpocrat." pic.twitter.com/ztVuNuCQYq
— Haleigh Hoffman (@HaleighHoffman) February 19, 2020
Blagojevich was found guilty of 17 counts in 2011 and was imprisoned in March 2012.
- Read more:
- Trump commutes sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich
- 'I saw his wife on television': Trump commuted Blagojevich's prison sentence after his wife attacked Comey and Mueller on Fox News
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