In a bold move that has left some conservatives clutching their pearls, President Trump has pardoned former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who famously tried to auction off a Senate seat like a clearance sale on the Oval Office lawn.

The pardon marks another chapter in Trump's controversial legacy, as he continues to upend traditional conservative values by freeing a politician who once turned Senate appointments into a proverbial garage sale. With Blagojevich's 17 counts of corruption and previous eight-year prison term under his belt, some on Capitol Hill are questioning whether Trump is establishing a new 'trickle-down pardoning' policy to reward loyalists, even those who provide more scandal than substance.

While attempting to sell the Senate seat previously occupied by now-former President Barack Obama might seem like a surefire way to become the most despised person in American politics, Blagojevich, in fact, seemed to thrive on the drama. Impeached and removed from office in 2009, his hyperbolic approach to governance made for great late-night comedy material, culminating in a prison sentence that would make any reality star jealous. After serving eight years of his 14-year sentence, Trump's commutation back in 2020 was already eyebrow-raising. But that was merely the warm-up act for this pardon spectacle.

In an Oval Office event that can only be described as a 'celebration of bad decisions,' Trump referred to Blagojevich as a 'very fine person,' proving yet again that personal character is a flexible measurement when associated with political allies. It also suggests that the bar for being a 'fine person' has probably been placed somewhere around the floor of an abandoned warehouse. Meanwhile, Blagojevich was hardly coy about his gratitude, thanking Trump for the 'act of kindness,' as if his past behavior warranted any kindness at all.

Trump's penchant for pardoning individuals has seemingly found a new niche, pivoting from the Jan. 6 Capitol rioters to include figures like Blagojevich, who seems to embody the perplexing art of political resurrection. His transformation into a 'Trumpocrat'—a not-so-subtle attempt to align himself with the Trump brand—could suggest a trend where politicians with dubious pasts are simply given a second chance, at least according to the growing chorus of supporters for Trump's pardoning spree.

This new wave of pardoning has led to a split among conservatives, with some members of Congress expressing their discontent. They seem to be questioning the rationale behind letting an opportunistic felon off the hook, especially when he was the poster child for legislative malpractice. After all, no one wants to be the one explaining why a man who tried to sell a Senate seat isn't serving time. It's just not good for the family values rhetoric conservatives love to promote.

There might be some mild concerns about who follows Blagojevich in this brave new pardon world, but the record of support from the former Illinois governor to Trump adds another interesting wrinkle to the saga. Their friendship blossomed during Blagojevich's stint on Trump's 'Celebrity Apprentice' back in 2010, where he learned to navigate the art of evaluative competition—a skill that seemed to be applied in the political arena, albeit with less urgency on ethical considerations. Given this history, it's no surprise that Blagojevich has made himself a vocal supporter of Trump's policies.

As if the theater of it all wasn’t sufficient, details of Blagojevich's attempts to sell that coveted Senate seat remain as memorable as a vintage campaign slogan. The infamous government recordings revealed a questionable negotiation style that included a distinct lack of bons mots—ensuring his tenure will not soon be forgotten, even if those who once hung on every word from leaders are now left to wonder if there are seats still available for auction.

On a final note, Blagojevich's pardon doesn’t just rely on a murky political past; it strikes at something much deeper in the American psyche. Blagojevich expressed his gratitude for Trump, calling the pardon an 'act of kindness'. It's a reminder that Blagojevich has been vocal in his support for Trump and has referred to himself as a 'Trumpocrat'—a little something to ponder for those hopeful for a future based on principle rather than performance.