Blagojevich wants to subpoena Obama

Attorneys for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Thursday asked a federal judge for permission to subpoena President Barack Obama to testify at his corruption trial.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Blagojevich’s (D) defense lawyers said in a filing that “President Obama has direct knowledge to allegations made in the indictment. In addition, President Obama’s public statements contradict other witness statements.”

Blagojevich is charged by federal authorities with attempting to use his office for personal gain and for attempting to sell Obama’s former Senate seat after he was elected president in 2008.

Lawyers for Blagojevich have previously suggested they might attempt to get the president to testify.

The ex-governor was removed from office early last year because of the charges and is barred from ever again holding office in Illinois.

NBC Chicago published six sections of the subpoena motion intended to be redacted. Included in accusations are that Obama may have lied about conversations he had with Tony Rezko, a Chicago real estate developer who fundraised for Obama but was convicted of fraud.

Also, the president is said to have explicitly recommended current White House adviser Valerie Jarrett for his Senate seat, that a supporter offered a quid pro quo if Jarrett was appointed to the Senate, that Obama kept a list of suitable Senate candidates, that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel Cheryl Jackson, head of the Urban League, for the seat and that Obama has undisclosed conversations with Blagojevich.

Updated at 5:34 p.m.