Rod Blagojevich's journey

Nation & World News

Rod Blagojevich's journey

Photos of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

It's hasn't been that long but it's definitely been a strange journey for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich since he was arrested for allegedly trying to sell Barack Obama's open U.S. Senate seat.

Blagojevich was convicted at his impeachment trial and thrown out of office Thursday, ending a nearly two-month crisis. The Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to remove him. Here, Blagojevich prepares to make a closing argument at the trial he boycotted.

A board in the Illinois Senate chamber shows the unanimous vote to remove Blagojevich.

Blagojevicch boards his jet after speaking at his trial. Hours later he was convicted and removed from office.

Blagojevich in his office just prior to speaking before the Illinois Senate.

Blagojevich makes his last stand at his impeachment trial.

Blagojevich goes over his notes in his office in Springfield before delivering his closing argument.

Blagojevich departs his Chicago home on Thursday en route to deliver a closing argument at his impeachment trial.

Blagojevich's quotes are displayed as evidence during the impeachment trial.

Illinois Sens. Martin Sandoval and John Sullivan listen to wire tap tapes during impeachment trial.

Blagojevich's impeachment trial began on Monday but the governor did not show up. The desk where he and his counsel would sit is empty at right.

On the day his impeachment trial began in Illinois, Blagojevich made the media rounds in New York. Here, he walks with publicity agent Glen Selig after making an appearance on the television program 'Fox and Friends.'

The morning Blagojevich was arrested, officers called to him know they were coming. In an interview, Blagojevich later said, 'I thought about Mandela, Dr. King, Gandhi and trying to put some perspective in all of this and that's what I'm doing now.'

Blagojevich's statements have made him a celebrity. Here he signs an autograph after making an appearance on 'The View' on the day his impeachment trial started.

Blagojevich said he considered appointing Oprah Winfrey to the Senate. Oprah said that had she heard the governor's statement, she probably would've 'fallen off the treadmill' in shock and that she wasn't interested in the job.

Blagojevich waves to reporters as he returns home from a morning run - hours before the house voted to impeach him.

On Jan. 14, Blagojevich presided over the swearing in of the State Senate. Moments later the Senate began preparing for the governor's impeachment trial.

The vote to impeach Blagojevich in the Illinois House was 114 to 1. Rep. Milton Patterson (seen sitting at his desk on the House floor after the Jan. 9 vote) was the lone dissenter. Patterson said he didn't feel it was his job to vote to impeach the governor.

After saying he wouldn't appoint someone to Obama's seat, Blagojevich chose former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris for the job.

Burris must've caught the Blagojevich circus bug. After the U.S. Senate said it would not seat him, he traveled to Washington to be sworn in and was rejected. Days later he was sworn in after Democrats realized their arguments would not hold up in court.

Despite constant calls for his resignation, Blagojevich refused to back down. Here, he speaks at a news conference on the day he was impeached with residents he said had benefited from his health initiatives.

Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel got ensnared in the scandal because wiretaps recorded him discussing the seat with Blagojevich. However, no one in the Obama administration was accused of any wrongdoing and Blagojevich was recorded saying, 'they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation.'

Blagojevich, center, leaves his home through a back alley on Dec. 10, 2008, a day after he was arrested on federal corruption charges. 'December 9 to my family, to us, to me, is what Pearl Harbor Day was to the United States,' Blagojevich said in a recent interview. 'It was a complete surprise, completely unexpected. And just like the United States prevailed in that, we'll prevail in this.'

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald announces charges against Rod Blagojevich on Dec. 9, 2008. The governor was charged with trying to put Obama's seat up for bid. Wiretaps recorded him saying, 'I'm not giving it up for... nothing. I'm not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there.'

1/24

It's hasn't been that long but it's definitely been a strange journey for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich since he was arrested for allegedly trying to sell Barack Obama's open U.S. Senate seat.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship