Trump Frees Philly Union Boss 'Johnny Doc'

Bochetto called the "compassionate release" a decision "remarkable in its humanity," and said it was "equally as remarkable" that a Republican president granted it to a Democratic political figure.

He said the case shows "doing the right thing" can be "bipartisan," adding that he is "so proud" of Trump and "so happy for John, and particularly" for Dougherty's "gravely ill wife, who will now have her husband by her side."

At sentencing in 2024, then-U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero, a Biden appointee, framed the case very differently. "John Dougherty held himself out as Local 98's biggest booster," she said. "But while he was backslapping his electricians with one hand, he was ripping them off with the other. He cheated Philadelphians, too, through his corrupt quid pro quo with Bobby Henon."

Romero added: "Our city and its workers deserve so much better than union bosses and politicians whose true priority is looking out for number one."

Fox News Digital said it contacted the White House on Friday. No White House comment appears in the reporting so far.