Last week, President Trump commuted the sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was given a 14-year prison sentence in 2011 for corrupt acts in office, including attempting to sell Barack Obama's former Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Blagojevich, who formerly worked with Trump on The Celebrity Apprentice, is now a free man and has used this opportunity to take to cable news with some pretty bold messages.
President Trump commuted the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who previously wo… https://t.co/W7jRxkNg0J— Twitter Moments (@Twitter Moments) 1582052016.0
Not every reporter is just sitting back and letting the former Governor spread his spin, however.
When Blagojevich referred to himself as a "political prisoner" on Anderson Cooper's program, the reporter came back with some pretty fiery criticism.
Things got a little heated during the final moments of @andersoncooper's interview with former Illinois Gov. Rod Bl… https://t.co/DxzQRUoANu— Anderson Cooper 360° (@Anderson Cooper 360°) 1582336711.0
"I am a political prisoner," former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich tells @AndersonCooper, adding "if you were to ask… https://t.co/agrjwVl5fi— Anderson Cooper 360° (@Anderson Cooper 360°) 1582334988.0
Twitter users were as enamored with Cooper as ever.
Anderson Cooper is tearing Blagojevich into a million tiny pieces, and it brings me joy! 🍻— Mystery Solvent (@Mystery Solvent) 1582334076.0
"When you could have helped thousands with clemency cases, YOU blew it off!" @AndersonCooper is on FIRE, calling Bl… https://t.co/58EFs8Qru5— Erin Schrode (@Erin Schrode) 1582334068.0
“I’d be happy to work with people on criminal justice reform, but I wouldn’t work with you.” - Anderson Cooper to Rod Blagojevich— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin) 1582333943.0
Let us not forget the many crimes Blagojevich was found guilty of by an impartial jury.
Among Blagojevich’s crimes? Trying to sell Barack Obama’s senate seat and attempting to shakedown a children’s hosp… https://t.co/xU1b2POBAW— VANITY FAIR (@VANITY FAIR) 1582344404.0
Blagojevich was impeached from office in 2009 on corruption charges and was convicted of lying to the FBI, extortio… https://t.co/Qdi6pVFynZ— NowThis (@NowThis) 1582131700.0
Political prisoner?? Here’s a review of the case against the former governor, complete with shakedown of a hospital… https://t.co/31OuUY6zLh— Kyung Lah (@Kyung Lah) 1582336071.0
Reporters should speak truth to power, not spread the messages corrupt politicians try to propagate.
Not a fan of either, but I’m not positive Anderson Cooper has been a more consistent advocate of progressive causes than Blago.— Bhaskar Sunkara (@Bhaskar Sunkara) 1582337788.0
Politicans deserve a lot more hard questioning from journalists, but the actual people in power administering auste… https://t.co/hDWHFBEc1K— Bhaskar Sunkara (@Bhaskar Sunkara) 1582337925.0
Blagojevich is NOT a political prisoner. Good on @AndersonCooper for holding the former Governor and recent recipie… https://t.co/RT8Y2WbjZ6— Erin Schrode (@Erin Schrode) 1582333529.0
No one becomes outraged quite like Anderson.
Anderson Cooper showed why he’s one of the best in the business tonight. Thank you for setting the record straight… https://t.co/CybVKiWNKA— David Cicilline (@David Cicilline) 1582340318.0
With President Trump in office, many people think they can bluff their way to success.
Sometimes, however, that's simply not enough.
@MeetThePress EVERY journalist needs to treat Donald Trump and his lackeys who come on their shows the way that And… https://t.co/LINrWBZlXG— Russell Drew (@Russell Drew) 1582474760.0
In the age of Trump, scumbags thrive. They all run the same Trump playbook of acting like they’re the real victim… https://t.co/ToQJgUzevR— Sarah Longwell (@Sarah Longwell) 1582372132.0
Anderson Cooper doesn't let corruption slide as easily as President Trump apparently does.
Anderson Cooper is a legend. https://t.co/4YYwmJVF2a— Ian Sams (@Ian Sams) 1582334830.0
Thanks for holding Blagojevich's feet to the fire, Anderson, you're giving us all hope!