- Formerly incarcerated Alice Johnson has been appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as his “pardon czar.” Johnson’s new role will have her advise on pardon recommendations for the president.
- Johnson was convicted of leading a multi-million-dollar drug ring and spent 21 years in prison.
- Her sentence was commuted in 2018, and she was later granted a full pardon by Trump.
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Alice Johnson, a woman who spent more than two decades in federal prison before being pardoned by President Donald Trump during his first term, has been appointed to a new role known as “pardon czar.” In her new position, Johnson will use her personal experience with the justice system to advise the president on recommendations for pardons and commutations.
At the White House’s Black History Month event, Trump made the announcement as Johnson listened from the crowd.
“We’re going to be listening to your recommendation on pardons,” Trump said, signaling her new role in shaping decisions about criminal justice reform.
A second chance at life
Johnson, 69, was convicted of leading a multi-million-dollar drug ring and sentenced to life in prison. After serving 21 years, she was granted a second chance at life in 2018 when her sentence was commuted.
Reality star Kim Kardashian played a key role in bringing attention to Johnson’s case. She met with President Trump to advocate for reform in America’s prisons and pushing for Johnson’s release.
After Trump commuted Johnson’s sentence, he later granted her a full pardon in 2020.
Advocating for criminal justice reform
Following her release, Johnson became a criminal justice advocate, using her story to help others who are in similar situations. Trump had hinted at leveraging Johnson’s experience to benefit others who have paid their debt to society during his first term.
In the months after her release, Trump signed the First Step Act into law. The legislation aimed to reduce recidivism and allow inmates to earn time credits toward reducing their sentence.
The president’s power to grant pardons and commutations is enshrined in the Constitution. The document grants presidents the authority to forgive crimes people have committed. Known as the “pardon power,” it has been used by presidents throughout U.S. history to offer second chances to individuals who have shown remorse and worked to better themselves.
