Former President Donald Trump has appointed prison reform advocate Alice Johnson as his new “Pardon Czar,” a key role in overseeing recommendations for presidential clemency.
Trump made the announcement during a Black History Month celebration at the White House on Feb. 20, praising Johnson’s journey from incarceration to activism.
Johnson, now 69, gained national attention in 2018 when Trump granted her clemency after she had served more than 21 years in prison for a nonviolent drug offense. Her case was widely publicized after reality star Kim Kardashian successfully lobbied for her release.
At the White House event, Trump lauded Johnson’s resilience and leadership, stating:
“You’ve been an inspiration to people, and we’re going to be listening to your recommendations on pardons.”
He further outlined the significance of her appointment, adding:
“You’re going to find people just like you that should not, this should not have happened [to]. It should not have happened. So you’re going to look and you’re going to make recommendations, and I’ll follow those recommendations, okay? For pardons. All right?”
A Controversial Pardon Strategy
Johnson was originally sentenced to life plus 25 years in prison after a 1996 conviction for cocaine conspiracy and money laundering.
Prosecutors accused her of leading a multi-million-dollar drug ring, though her supporters argued she was given an overly harsh sentence for a nonviolent offense.
Her appointment comes as Trump faces scrutiny over his use of presidential pardons. His second-term clemency decisions have sparked controversy, particularly after he commuted the sentences of thousands of individuals involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
A New Role, A New Mission
As Pardon Czar, Johnson is expected to advise Trump on cases of potential clemency, focusing on individuals she believes were unfairly sentenced.
Her advocacy work since her release has centered on criminal justice reform, making her a notable choice for the position.
While her appointment has been met with praise from some criminal justice reform advocates, critics argue that Trump’s clemency strategy remains politically motivated.
As Johnson steps into her new role, all eyes will be on the cases she champions and whether her influence will lead to meaningful reform—or further controversy.
