Trump reportedly considering convicted, ex-Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojevich as Serbia ambassador

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering appointing former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to serve as the ambassador to Serbia.

Two sources told the news outlet Politico that while Trump is considering Blagojevich, the decision is nowhere near final. 

Blagojevich was convicted in 2011 on 17 corruption-related charges including attempted extortion and trying to sell former President Barack Obama's Senate seat after he was elected to the White House in 2008. 

The former governor served roughly eight years in prison starting in 2012 and was commuted by Trump in 2020.

Blagojevich is a massive Trump supporter, and during the 2024 election he spoke at an event where he encouraged Serbian Americans to vote for the 47th president. Blagojevich's father is from Serbia.

The two men have known each other for years and Blagojevich even appeared on Trump's show “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2010.