Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested by the FBI this morning on federal corruption charges astonishing in their breadth.
Here's a video of Blagojevich the day before yesterday.
“Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on criminal charges on Tuesday, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by fellow Democrat President-elect Barack Obama, federal prosecutors said. Blagojevich was also accused of threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of the Chicago Cubs' baseball home Wrigley Field ‘to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical' of him. The 51-year-old Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were charged in a 76-page federal indictment with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. Both were taken into custody at their homes in Chicago.”
DailyKOS: Rahm Emanuel brought down Blagojevich, Obama wouldn't play ball…
Chicago Tribune updates…
Video of Blagojevich the day before yesterday, and a report from the special agent who arrested him this morning on how the arrest went down, AFTER THE JUMP…
And the breaking news report: