Blagojevich was released from prison that day, and flew home to Chicago that night. Speaking to reporters after his release, he stated, "I’m profoundly grateful to President Trump, and I will be for as long as I live." He said Trump was "a man who’s not only tough and outspoken, strong, but he has a kind heart", and proclaimed himself to be a "Trump-ocrat". On February 19, Blagojevich held a press conference at his home in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood, where he remained defiant towards his conviction, describing himself as a "political prisoner," and promised to use his experience in prison to fix the "broken" criminal justice system.