Trump Pardons Disgraced Ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik

NEW YORK CITY — President Donald Trump has pardoned a former New York Police Department commissioner who spent years in federal prison on tax fraud and corruption charges.

Bernard Kerik — who pleaded guilty to tax fraud and corruption — was one of several surprise pardons and sentence commutations that the president issued Tuesday.

"Bernard Kerik courageously led the New York Police Department’s heroic response to the horrific attacks of September 11," Trump said. "He embodied the strength, courage, compassion and spirit of the people of New York."

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and talk show host Geraldo Rivera were among those who prompted Trump to issue the pardon, according to a press release.

Kerik responded to the pardon on Twitter by thanking the president and saying the day of the pardon was among the best in his life.

"Going to prison is like dying with your eyes open," Kerik wrote. "The permanent loss of many of your civil and constitutional rights are personally devastating."

Kerik, who served as police commissioner under Giuliani during 9/11, pleaded guilty to a tax fraud scheme for accepting a $250,000 gift — from a company tied to organized crime — to renovate his Bronx apartment, the New York Times reported.

He also admitted lying to White House officials during an interview to head the Department of Homeland Security, the Times reported.

He was imprisoned from 2010 to 2013.

Kerik was appointed as NYPD commissioner in 2000 after serving as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Corrections.

Trump also pardoned former San Francisco 49ers president Ed DeBartolo and commuted the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.