Blago deserved prison for his crime of corruption, but not a 14 year sentence, as if he were a murderer. He served 8. I have no problem with commuting the rest of it. (And I say that as a former assistant prosecuting attorney).
Well, you would know more about this stuff than I. But I read that 14 years is within the sentencing guidelines and that judges have some latitude in deciding what sentence to impose. Maybe if the judge exceeded the guidelines for no valid reason, I might agree with you, but if 14 years is within the guidelines, then IMHO it was fair.
When this case was going on, all I heard about was that Blago had attempted to sell Obama's old senate seat, but apparently, it was more than that. There were multiple charges. Among other things, Blago was convicted of mail and wire fraud, attempted extortion, conspiracy to solicit bribes and making false statements. I'd like to think the judge threw the book at Blago because his crimes were so extensive, not because the judge didn't like him or, as I had heard, Obama was mad that Blago tried to sell his senate seat (he wanted to sell it himself), so Obama (or someone on his behalf) influenced the judge to give Blago the maximum.
Anyway, Blago is out, so this is all a moot point. But although Trump is under no obligation to do so, I would like to hear him explain the real reasons why he pardoned or commuted the sentences of Blago and the rest of the lowlifes.
