Trump renews call for Pete Rose pardon, saying MLB's all-time hits leader was 'mistreated'

President Donald Trump has reiterated his desire to pardon baseball icon Pete Rose, not only for his lifetime ban due to gambling but also for federal tax charges he pleaded guilty to in 1990. Trump believes Rose was “very mistreated” and that his achievements, including the all-time hits record, warrant a Hall of Fame induction. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged Trump’s support as a factor in lifting Rose’s ban posthumously, though his Hall of Fame enshrinement remains pending.

• President Trump stated he would pardon Pete Rose for federal tax charges and believes Rose was ‘very mistreated’.
• Rose pleaded guilty to two felony counts of filing false federal income returns in April 1990.
• Trump argued that Rose’s gambling on his own team, while wrong, should not prevent his Hall of Fame induction, especially as gambling is now legal.
• MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred cited Trump’s support as one of several factors in lifting Rose’s ban posthumously.
• Rose, who died at 83, holds the MLB all-time hits record with 4,256 hits and was a 17-time All-Star.