U.S. President Donald Trump is considering nominating former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevic, who served eight years in prison for corruption charges, as the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Politico reports, citing two individuals familiar with the discussions.

Blagojevic, whose sentence Trump commuted in 2020, is also a former Democratic member of Congress. He co-chaired the „Serbs for Trump“ group during the 2024 presidential campaign and has become a strong political supporter of Trump. Blagojevic’s father is from Serbia.

Often referred to simply as „Blago,“ the former governor has a long-standing connection with Trump dating back decades. Blagojevic appeared on Trump’s reality TV show „Celebrity Apprentice“ in 2010—after he was first arrested on corruption charges in 2008, but before he was convicted the following year.

It is unclear how the Senate would handle Blagojevic’s nomination, writes Politico.

This could also provoke reactions from groups working on transparency initiatives in Serbia. Sending Blagojevic to Belgrade would mean sending a former high-ranking official convicted of corruption as an envoy to a country that has long struggled with—corruption.

Blagojevic was convicted in 2011 on 17 federal charges of corruption and was removed from office by a large majority vote in the Illinois legislature. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison and served eight years before Trump commuted his sentence. Blagojevic maintained his innocence and accused federal prosecutors of conducting a politically motivated criminal prosecution.

Two people familiar with the discussions about the nomination pointed out that the decision is far from final. Trump is also considering former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich for the role, whose parents immigrated to the United States from the former Yugoslavia. Brnovich would likely have an easier path to confirmation.

Blagojevic would not be the first recipient of Trump’s pardon powers to be appointed to a high-profile ambassadorial position. Trump selected Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to be ambassador to France. His nomination is awaiting Senate confirmation.

Blagojevic visited Serbia this week, where he met with the country’s president, Aleksandar Vucic.

The U.S. Embassy in Serbia has been without an ambassador since January, when former Ambassador Christopher Hill left the post.

The White House, Blagojevic, and Brnovich did not respond to requests for comment.