FBI Interviews Reveal Obama and Emanuel Discussed Senate Seat Deal with Blagojevich

FBI interview summaries obtained by a news outlet disclose that President-elect Barack Obama and his incoming chief of staff Rahm Emanuel were questioned in December 2009 about a deal with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to appoint Attorney General Lisa Madigan to the U.S. Senate seat Obama left in 2008, in return for the Madigan family’s support of Obama’s health-care and budget agenda. The notes record that Emanuel, alongside David Axelrod, met with Senator Dick Durbin and deemed Madigan an acceptable candidate, after which Emanuel relayed the proposal to Blagojevich’s chief of staff John Harris.

The interviews also show Obama originally preferred Valerie Jarrett for the seat but later moved her to a senior advisory role, while other Illinois politicians such as Tammy Duckworth, Jan Schakowsky and Jesse Jackson Jr. entered the shortlist. Blagojevich ultimately appointed Roland Burris, who did not seek election; the seat later went to Mark Kirk and then Tammy Duckworth. Blagojevich served 7 years 11 months before a 2020 commutation by Donald Trump and a full pardon in 2025.