President Trump announced Alice Johnson as his “pardon czar” to advise on criminal justice issues, during a Black History Month reception at the White House. Johnson, whose life sentence he commuted, will formalize a role she began towards the end of Trump’s first term, identifying candidates for clemency. Her case highlighted severe sentencing laws, particularly affecting nonviolent offenders. Johnson, who served 22 years for drug-related offenses, became a symbol of reform after Kim Kardashian advocated for her release. Trump previously pardoned Johnson in 2020, aligning with his support for the First Step Act, a significant criminal justice reform.
On Thursday, President Trump declared that he would appoint Alice Johnson, whose life sentence he commuted during his first term, to the position of “pardon czar,” where she will offer counsel on matters related to criminal justice.
Mr. Trump revealed Ms. Johnson’s appointment at a reception held at the White House to honor Black History Month, an event she attended. Kim Kardashian, the reality television personality, played a significant role in highlighting her drug conviction during Mr. Trump’s initial term.
Ms. Johnson will formalize a role she assumed towards the end of Mr. Trump’s first term, which involved submitting, at his request, a list of individuals she felt warranted clemency.
According to Mr. Trump, Ms. Johnson will provide guidance on cases involving individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes who received sentences that are unlikely to be imposed in current times. Her case has been referenced as emblematic of harsh sentencing laws that disproportionately impact nonviolent offenders, especially women and minority communities.
“You know, Alice was in prison for an action that today probably wouldn’t even face prosecution,” Mr. Trump remarked to an audience of about 400 during the event. “She spent 22 years incarcerated — 22 years. She had another 22 years remaining on her sentence. Can you believe it?”
“It should not have happened,” he continued, referring to her situation. “It should not have happened. So you’re going to review these cases, and you’re going to make recommendations, and I’ll act on those recommendations.”
According to a previous report by The New York Times, Ms. Johnson was being considered for this position.
Ms. Johnson’s situation became a focal point for reform efforts after a viral video of her speaking from prison garnered Ms. Kardashian’s attention. In 2018, Ms. Kardashian personally advocated for Ms. Johnson’s case to Mr. Trump in the Oval Office.
Having been incarcerated in an Alabama federal prison since 1996, Ms. Johnson received a life sentence plus 25 years as a first-time, nonviolent offender due to convictions for cocaine possession and money laundering as part of a drug conspiracy.
A week after the meeting with Ms. Kardashian in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump commuted Ms. Johnson’s sentence when she was 63 years old. Later, in 2020, during his re-election campaign, he granted her a full pardon, erasing the conviction from her record.
Moreover, Ms. Johnson played a crucial role in Mr. Trump’s support for the First Step Act, recognized as one of the most significant criminal justice reform laws in decades.
Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.