Trump Says He Will Posthumously Pardon the Baseball Star Pete Rose

President Trump announced late Friday that he will grant a full pardon to Pete Rose, a former baseball legend who was banned from the sport for gambling on games while he was a player and manager. Trump also reiterated his support for Rose to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, despite his controversial past.

The pardon comes after a tumultuous day for Trump, which included a heated exchange with the President of Ukraine and an abrupt end to peace talks. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, stating that Rose should not have been gambling on baseball but only betting on his team to win.

It is important to note that the pardon is unrelated to Rose’s baseball career or gambling issues. In 1990, Rose was sentenced to federal prison for filing false income tax returns, separate from his ban from baseball in 1989 for gambling. Despite his record-breaking career, Rose was never inducted into the Hall of Fame due to his gambling activities.

While Trump can issue a pardon for Rose’s tax evasion charges, he does not have the authority to influence Hall of Fame decisions. Trump’s support for Rose dates back several years, with the former president advocating for his Hall of Fame induction on social media.

Despite his controversies, Pete Rose remained a beloved figure among baseball fans throughout his life. He continued to engage with fans through signings and appearances, drawing large crowds wherever he went.