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

He would’ve pardoned him in his capacity for federal tax charges he pleaded guilty to in April 1990.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.

This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Trump was alongside UFC CEO Dana White, whom the 47th president said he was "only kidding" about making his new press secretary on Truth Social over the weekend.Nonetheless, White flew to Washington D.C.

to meet with Trump and field questions from reporters.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEUFC CEO Dana White listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the James S.Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov.

9, 2026.(REUTERS)He was asked about Pete Rose first, with the reporter referencing Trump’s consideration to pardon the baseball great in the past."I don’t advise the president on anything ever, but yeah, I think it’s fair.

I think it’s fair to pardon Pete Rose.Yes," White responded.Then, Trump jumped in."By the way, why does he need a pardon? He was not really convicted of a criminal – " Trump said before he was cut off by the reporter to provide clarity.TRUMP SAYS HE WAS ‘ONLY KIDDING’ ABOUT MAKING DANA WHITE PRESS SECRETARY"It was tax charges, sir," the reporter said."Oh, he did? I’d give Pete Rose a pardon," Trump responded.

"I think Pete Rose was very mistreated.He had 4,200-and-some-odd hits, way ahead of anyone else.

A record that can’t ever be broken.And he was caught gambling, and now it’s legal.

But he was gambling on his own team, Dana.He wasn’t gambling against [his team] – that’s different."He was gambling.

He shouldn’t have done it, but he went through 40 years of hell and they should be giving him a pardon.They should be getting him into the [National] Baseball Hall of Fame a long time ago.

I spoke to the commissioner about it.He agreed to do it, and then he wait...