Aug 8, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Trump "strongly considering" commuting Blagojevich's prison sentence

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich before turning himself in to authorities in Littleton, Colorado, to begin his prison sentence in 2012. Photo: Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images

President Trump told reporters Wednesday he's "strongly considering" commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), the New York Times reports.

Details: "I thought he was treated unbelievably unfairly," the president said of Blagojevich, who is serving a 14-year prison sentence following a 2011 conviction on corruption charges, per the Wall Street Journal, which notes the Democrat appeared on Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" reality show in 2010. "I think it’s enough, 7 years."

Go deeper: Trump floats clemency for Martha Stewart and Rod Blagojevich

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Mike Allen

16 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Ben Sasse emerges as GOP Trump critic ahead of November

Sen. Ben Sasse walks to the Senate from the subway to vote in June. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) has dialed up his spicy slams of President Trump, including this swipe at yesterday's signing ceremony: "The pen-and-phone theory of executive lawmaking is unconstitutional slop."

Why it matters: Trump increasingly looks — to business and to fellow Republicans — like a loser in November. So they're more likely to create distance to save their own skins. Sasse also won his May primary, further freeing him.

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Fadel Allassan

49 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Pelosi: "States don't have the money" for Trump's unemployment order

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed on "Fox News Sunday" that states don't have the funds to comply with the executive order President Trump signed on Saturday, which requires them to cover 25% of an additional $400 in weekly unemployment benefits.

Why it matters: Many state and local governments have had their budgets devastated by the economic impacts of the coronavirus, which have caused expenses to soar and revenues to plunge.

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Fadel Allassan

2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Kudlow says he regrets claiming Trump couldn't use executive order for unemployment

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that he regrets suggesting this week that unemployment benefits can only be extended by Congress.

Why it matters: President Trump's decision to bypass Congress to sign four executive actions, including one that provides $400 per week in extra unemployment benefits, has prompted outcry from Democrats and even some Republicans who believe he is overstepping his constitutional authority.