Alice Johnson, a Memphian, has been appointed the nation's first 'pardon czar' in the Trump administration. This role marks a significant change for Johnson, who was serving a life sentence until her clemency in 2018. Johnson will advise the administration on clemency issues, using her personal experience and advocacy work since her release. The announcement was made at a Black History Month event at the White House, according to Action News 5.
Johnson served 21 years of her sentence before receiving a commutation from President Trump, after reality star Kim Kardashian campaigned for her release. Her case gained national attention when Trump commuted her life sentence, allowing her to begin advocating for others in the justice system. Johnson said in a WREG interview, "I submitted over 100 clemency and pardon petitions to the White House after I gained my own freedom, so to be trusted in a position like this to serve the nation and all communities, it’s really a privilege for me."
Trump shared his thoughts on Johnson's pardon, saying, "She spent 22 years in prison. She had another 22 years left. Can you believe it and I pardoned her, and it was one of the best pardons." Since her release, Johnson has focused on criminal justice reform and ensuring those granted clemency receive support for reintegration. She told WREG, "It’s very important to me to make sure that those released from prison also have a structure set up so they can be successful in their new lives. It’s very important to me to have safe communities."
In a 2019 interview with abc24, Johnson spoke about using her past to create change. She admitted her involvement with drug dealers and expressed her commitment to making a difference, both behind bars and after her release. With her appointment now in effect, Johnson plays a key role in the clemency process and the lives of those seeking a second chance.
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