US President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing the nomination of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who served eight years in prison for corruption, to become the US ambassador to Serbia, according to Politico, which cites two sources familiar with the discussions.

Blagojevich, a former Democratic congressman whose prison sentence was commuted by Trump in 2020, played a significant role during the 2024 presidential campaign as co-chair of the “Serbs for Trump” group and has become a notable political ally of the former president. He has Serbian heritage through his father.

Commonly referred to as “Blago,” he is a former governor with a long-standing association with Trump. In 2010, he appeared on Trump’s reality television show “Celebrity Apprentice,” not long after his arrest for corruption in 2008 but prior to his conviction in 2009.

It remains uncertain how the Senate would respond to Blagojevich’s potential nomination. This contentious figure could fragment support among Republican senators and is less likely to attract backing from Democrats, Politico notes.

The proposed appointment may also provoke anger among transparency advocates in Serbia. Appointing Blagojevich—as a former high-ranking official convicted of corruption—as a representative in a nation grappling with its corruption issues raises significant concerns.

In 2011, Blagojevich was found guilty on 17 federal corruption counts, including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bribery. He faced impeachment by a substantial majority in the Illinois House of Representatives and was sentenced to 14 years, serving eight before Trump commuted his sentence. Blagojevich has consistently asserted his innocence and accused federal prosecutors of pursuing politically motivated actions against him.

According to the two sources referenced by Politico, no final decision has been made yet. The former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is also under consideration. Brnovich, whose parents migrated to the United States from the former Yugoslavia, may have a smoother path to Senate confirmation.

If nominated, Blagojevich would not be the first individual pardoned by Trump to receive a prominent diplomatic role. Trump previously nominated Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France, pending Senate confirmation.

During a recent visit to Serbia, Blagojevich met with President Aleksandar Vučić. He expressed admiration for Vučić’s economic policies and noted that the same detractors of Trump also oppose him.

The US Embassy in Serbia has been without an ambassador since January, when former Ambassador Christopher Hill, appointed by the Biden administration, departed from the role.

Choosing a Serb from the diaspora for this prestigious diplomatic position would likely resonate positively with the expanding Serbian community in the US, which has been striving to enhance relations between Serbia and America in recent years.

“Sending a Serb from America as an ambassador would be welcomed in Serbian society and could diminish Russian influence in the region,” stated Danijel Vajdic, president of Yorktown Solutions, which consults for the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

Requests for comments from the White House, Blagojevich, and Brnovich were not answered by Politico.

The Trump Organization and the Kushner family are currently pursuing a luxury Trump Hotel project in Belgrade, located on the site of the former Yugoslav Ministry of Defense building, which NATO bombed in 1999.

The site is owned by the Serbian government, which last year approved the $500 million hotel initiative facilitated by Richard Grenell. Grenell had served as the special envoy for the Balkans during Trump’s first term and was appointed special envoy for special missions late last year.

Blagojević: Kurti is perpetuating ethnic cleansing against Serbs

In a recent interview with RTS, Blagojević asserted that Trump’s re-election could create significant opportunities for improving ties between the two nations.

“My country committed grievous actions against your country in 1990. I opposed it as a Democratic Party member, but that was insufficient. It parallels the actions of Russia in Ukraine, and our leaders share culpability that leaves the Serbian people feeling betrayed. I believe President Trump will strive to enhance relations between our nations,” emphasized Blagojević.

He claimed that the current Kosovar administration is engaging in ethnic cleansing against Serbs.

“Kurti targets Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija for various reasons; this is his method of executing ethnic cleansing against the Serbian people. Many nations have rejected the independence declaration made in February 2008,” Blagojević stated.

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