On Thursday, February 20th, President Donald Trump appointed Alice Marie Johnson as his “pardon czar” during a Black History Month event at the White House. Johnson, whose life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense was commuted by Trump in 2018, will be responsible for reviewing and recommending clemency cases.
“You’ve been an inspiration to people, and we’re going to be listening to your recommendations on pardons,” Trump told Johnson. “You’re going to find people just like you that this should not have happened.”
Johnson was convicted in 1996 of drug conspiracy and money laundering after being involved in a Memphis drug operation. She was sentenced to life in prison but was granted clemency after serving 21 years, following a push for her release led by reality star Kim Kardashian West. While incarcerated, Johnson became an ordained minister, volunteered in the prison church, and worked in hospice care.
Since her release, she has been active in criminal justice reform, advocating for others facing long sentences for nonviolent offenses. She founded “Taking Action For Good” and has spoken out about post-incarceration policies.
Trump’s decision to appoint Johnson comes as he continues issuing pardons early in his second term. Since returning to office last month, he has granted clemency to nearly all January 6 defendants and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted on corruption charges.
Johnson, who previously appeared in a Trump campaign ad during the 2020 Super Bowl, is expected to have a key role in shaping the administration’s clemency policies.
