NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- President Donald Trump issued an executive pardon to former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, the president told reporters Tuesday at Andrew Air Force Base.
Kerik was convicted of tax fraud and making false statements, among other charges. He served just over three years in prison.
In a tweet, Kerik thanked Trump for the pardon, "There are no words to express my appreciation and gratitude to President Trump," he wrote. "With the exception of the birth of my children, today is one of the greatest days in my life --- being made a full and whole American citizen again. Going to prison is like dying with your eyes open. Its aftermath of collateral consequences and the permanent loss of many of your civil and constituional rights are personally devatsating. This pardon restores those rights, for which I will be eternally grateful. Thank you, Mr. President. May God be with you always, and may God Bless the United State of America."
Former mayor Rudy Giuliani took to Twitter, writing that he recommended pardoning Kerik to Trump.
"The pardon of Bernie Kerik is completely in line with the rationale for a pardon as described in the Code of Federal Regulation. Bernie has met and exceeded those standards, paid his debt to society, and has been out of confinement more than the requisite five years," Giuliani wrote.
He added, "If anyone deserves a pardon it’s my friend, Bernie Kerik. And yes, I along with many, did proudly recommend the pardon to President @realDonaldTrump!"
Blagojevich, was convicted of corruption charges for attempting to sell Barack Obama's former Senate seat. He is currently in federal prison in Colorado.
Trump had called Blagojevich's sentence a "tremendously powerful, ridiculous sentence." Blagojevich had appeared on Trump's reality TV series, "Celebrity Apprentice."
He also granted clemency to Michael Milken, a financier who pled guilty to violating securities laws.
Earlier today, Trump pardoned former NFL player Edward DeBartolo Jr, who was convicted in a gambling fraud scandal.
In August, Trump tweeted that he was considering granting clemency to Blagojevich, saying, "Many people have asked that I study the possibility of commuting his sentence in that it was a very severe one. White House staff is continuing the review of this matter."