President Donald Trump appointed Alice Marie Johnson as his “pardon czar” on Thursday, February 20th, during a Black History Month event at the White House. Johnson, whose life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense was reduced by Trump in 2018, will be responsible for making clemency recommendations.
“You’ve been an inspiration to people, and we’re going to be listening to your recommendations on pardons,” Trump said, addressing Johnson. “You’re going to find people just like you that this should not have happened.”
Johnson was convicted of drug conspiracy and money laundering in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison. She was arrested in 1993 after becoming involved in a Memphis drug operation. In a Fox News Digital opinion piece, she described facing financial hardship before making what she called a “life-altering bad decision” to assist in drug trafficking communications.
While in prison, Johnson became an ordained minister, volunteered in the prison church, and worked in hospice care. After serving 21 years, her sentence was commuted following advocacy efforts led by reality television star Kim Kardashian West, who met with Trump to discuss her case.
Following her release, Johnson has worked on criminal justice reform, advocating for clemency for others facing long sentences for nonviolent offenses. She launched the organization “Taking Action For Good” and has been outspoken about post-incarceration supervision policies.
Trump’s appointment of Johnson comes as he continues to issue a series of pardons 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 2020 Trump campaign ad aired during the Super Bowl, is expected to play a key role in advising the administration on future clemency decisions.
