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Created page with "'''Alice Marie Johnson''' (born May 30, 1955) is an American criminal justice reform advocate, author, and former federal prisoner whose case became a symbol of sentencing reform and clemency advocacy in the United States.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar">Duster, Chandelis, "Who is Alice Marie Johnson, Trump's newly appointed 'pardon czar'?," NPR, February 25, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/02/25/nx-s1-5307330/trump-pardon-czar-who-is-alice-marie-johnson.</ref> Johnson was con..."
 
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'''Alice Marie Johnson''' (born May 30, 1955) is an American criminal justice reform advocate, author, and former federal prisoner whose case became a symbol of sentencing reform and clemency advocacy in the United States.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar">Duster, Chandelis, "Who is Alice Marie Johnson, Trump's newly appointed 'pardon czar'?," NPR, February 25, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/02/25/nx-s1-5307330/trump-pardon-czar-who-is-alice-marie-johnson.</ref> Johnson was convicted in 1996 on federal drug and money laundering charges related to a Memphis, Tennessee cocaine trafficking organization and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.<ref name="wikipedia">Wikipedia, "Alice Marie Johnson," accessed November 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Marie_Johnson.</ref> After serving 21 years in federal prison, Johnson was released in June 2018 when President Donald Trump commuted her sentence following advocacy by reality television star Kim Kardashian.<ref name="aclu-release">American Civil Liberties Union, "President Commutes Life-Without-Parole Sentence of Alice Marie Johnson," press release, June 6, 2018, https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/president-commutes-life-without-parole-sentence-alice-marie-johnson.</ref>
{{Infobox Person
|name = Alice Marie Johnson
|image = alice-marie-johnson.png
|birth_date = May 30, 1955
|birth_place = Olive Branch, Mississippi
|charges = Drug conspiracy, Money laundering, Structuring
|conviction_date = October 31, 1996
|sentence = Life without parole (commuted)
|release_date = June 6, 2018
|facility = FCI Aliceville
|status = Released (Pardoned)
}}'''Alice Marie Johnson''' (born May 30, 1955) is an American criminal justice reform advocate, author, and former federal prisoner who served nearly 22 years in federal prison after being convicted in 1996 for her involvement in a Memphis, Tennessee-based cocaine trafficking organization.<ref name="npr-pardonczar">NPR, "Who is Alice Marie Johnson, Trump's newly appointed 'pardon czar'?," February 25, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/02/25/nx-s1-5307330/trump-pardon-czar-who-is-alice-marie-johnson.</ref> Originally sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole as a first-time nonviolent drug offender, Johnson's case gained national attention when reality television star Kim Kardashian advocated for her release, ultimately leading President Donald Trump to commute her sentence in June 2018.<ref name="wapo-clemency">The Washington Post, "Trump has commuted the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson," June 6, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-has-commuted-the-life-sentence-of-alice-marie-johnson.</ref> Trump granted Johnson a full presidential pardon in August 2020, and in February 2025, during his second term, appointed her as the administration's first-ever "pardon czar" to identify candidates for executive clemency.<ref name="cbs-pardonczar">CBS News, "Trump names Alice Johnson, pardoned in his first term, to be 'pardon czar'," February 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-alice-johnson-pardon-czar/.</ref>


Following her release, Johnson became a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform and founded the Taking Action for Good Foundation to assist others in obtaining clemency.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> She published her memoir, ''After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom'', in 2019.<ref name="amazon-book">Amazon, "After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom," accessed 2025, https://www.amazon.com/After-Life-Journey-Incarceration-Freedom/dp/0062936107.</ref> On February 20, 2025, President Trump appointed Johnson as his "Pardon Czar" to make recommendations about federal clemency, making her the first formerly incarcerated person to hold this advisory position.<ref name="hill-appointment">Samuels, Brett, "Trump says Alice Johnson will be his 'pardon czar'," The Hill, February 20, 2025, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5156241-trump-appoints-alice-johnson-pardon-advocate/.</ref>
== Summary ==


== Early Life and Background ==
Alice Marie Johnson's journey from life imprisonment to presidential pardon to White House advisor represents one of the most remarkable clemency stories in modern American history. Born into a family of sharecroppers in rural Mississippi, Johnson relocated to Memphis as a young woman, where she built a career at FedEx before personal tragedies and financial difficulties led her into the drug trade in the early 1990s. Her 1996 conviction on eight federal counts resulted in a mandatory life sentence that many critics viewed as disproportionately harsh for a nonviolent first-time offender.<ref name="npr-pardonczar" />


Alice Marie Johnson was born on May 30, 1955, in Olive Branch, Mississippi, one of nine children raised by sharecropper parents.<ref name="wikipedia" /> Her memoir recounts growing up in poverty, living in a sharecropper's shack where the children slept so closely together they could not move during the night.<ref name="amazon-book" /> Despite these circumstances, Johnson's parents aspired to better opportunities for their children.<ref name="amazon-book" />
During her nearly 22 years of incarceration at the Federal Medical Center in Carswell, Texas, and later at Federal Correctional Institution Aliceville in Alabama, Johnson transformed her life behind bars. She became an ordained minister, certified hospice worker, playwright, and mentor to fellow inmates, maintaining an exemplary disciplinary record that earned the support of prison staff including her warden in letters supporting her clemency petition.<ref name="cando-clemency">CAN-DO Clemency, "Alice Marie Johnson - FREE AT LAST," https://www.candoclemency.com/alice-marie-johnson/.</ref>


Johnson became pregnant as a sophomore in high school but continued her education, eventually attending secretarial college and becoming proficient in typing and office work.<ref name="ageist-profile">AGEIST, "Alice Marie Johnson, 68: Keep Looking Ahead," December 21, 2023, https://www.ageist.com/profile/alice-marie-johnson-68-keep-looking-ahead/.</ref> She married her high school sweetheart and had five children during a marriage that lasted 19 years.<ref name="ageist-profile" /> Johnson built a successful career at FedEx, starting in the secretarial pool and advancing to computer operations management over a decade of employment.<ref name="ageist-profile" />
Johnson's case became a focal point in national debates over mandatory minimum sentencing and criminal justice reform. Her release, followed by her visible advocacy work and close relationship with the Trump administration, positioned her as a prominent voice in the movement to reform federal sentencing practices. She founded the Taking Action for Good Foundation to assist other incarcerated individuals seeking clemency and published a memoir detailing her experiences, "After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom," in 2019.<ref name="amazon-afterlife">Amazon, "After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom," by Alice Marie Johnson, HarperCollins 2019, https://www.amazon.com/After-Life-Journey-Incarceration-Freedom/dp/0062936107.</ref>


In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Johnson's life unraveled rapidly.<ref name="mic-profile">Mic, "Alice Marie Johnson," video profile, 2017.</ref> She lost her position at FedEx due to a gambling addiction, her 19-year marriage ended in divorce, and her youngest son was killed in a motorcycle accident.<ref name="wikipedia" /> Johnson filed for bankruptcy in 1991, followed by the foreclosure of her home.<ref name="wikipedia" /> At the time of her arrest, she was a single mother of five children struggling to make ends meet.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" />
== Background ==


== Criminal Charges and Conviction ==
Alice Marie Johnson was born on May 30, 1955, in Olive Branch, Mississippi, one of nine children raised by sharecropper parents. Her early life was marked by the poverty and limited opportunities common to rural African American families in the mid-twentieth century South. As a sophomore in high school, Johnson became pregnant, an experience that shaped her early adult years. Despite these challenges, she pursued education and eventually relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1979, seeking greater economic opportunity.<ref name="npr-pardonczar" />


=== Arrest and Prosecution ===
In Memphis, Johnson found stable employment at FedEx, where she worked for approximately ten years and established herself as a reliable employee. She married, raised children, and built what appeared to be a solid middle-class life. However, a series of personal catastrophes in the late 1980s and early 1990s unraveled her stability. Johnson developed a gambling addiction that contributed to her losing her job at FedEx. This was followed by a divorce and, most devastatingly, the death of her youngest son in a motorcycle accident.<ref name="heavy-facts">Heavy.com, "Alice Marie Johnson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know," May 2018, https://heavy.com/news/2018/05/alice-marie-johnson/.</ref>


Alice Marie Johnson was arrested in 1993 as part of a federal investigation into a Memphis-based cocaine trafficking organization.<ref name="wikipedia" /> In 1996, she was convicted on eight federal criminal counts, including conspiracy to possess cocaine, attempted possession of cocaine, money laundering, and structuring.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The structuring charge stemmed from her purchase of a house with a down payment structured to avoid the $10,000 reporting threshold.<ref name="wikipedia" />
Facing mounting financial pressures, Johnson filed for bankruptcy in 1991, and foreclosure on her home followed shortly thereafter. Desperate for income, she became involved with a Memphis-based cocaine trafficking organization, serving as a communications coordinator who relayed coded messages between drug dealers. Though she never personally handled drugs, her role in the conspiracy was substantial enough to attract federal attention.<ref name="cando-clemency" />


The Memphis operation involved over a dozen individuals and was connected to Colombian drug dealers based in Texas.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The federal indictment named 16 defendants and described Johnson as a leader in a multi-million dollar cocaine ring, detailing dozens of drug transactions and deliveries.<ref name="wikipedia" /> Evidence presented at trial showed the operation dealt in 2,000 to 3,000 kilograms of cocaine.<ref name="wikipedia" />
== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==


Johnson has consistently maintained that she never personally sold drugs or handled drug shipments.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> According to her account, her role was to relay coded telephone messages between parties involved in the organization and to hold money for one of the individuals involved.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> She has described herself as a "telephone mule" rather than a drug dealer.<ref name="ageist-profile" />
=== Federal Charges ===


Ten of Johnson's co-defendants testified against her in exchange for reduced or dropped charges.<ref name="justice-project">The Justice Project Texas, "From Life to After Life: Alice Marie Johnson's Story of Hope, Faith, and Redemption," February 15, 2022, https://www.thejusticeprojecttexas.com/blog/7q6rbxtq8czm8ol5edhr6al96udhr5.</ref> These co-defendants received sentences ranging from probation without jail time to 10 years imprisonment.<ref name="justice-project" /> Johnson, despite having no prior criminal convictions, received the longest sentence of anyone charged in the conspiracy.<ref name="millennial-mag">Millennial Magazine, "5 Things You Should Know About Alice Marie Johnson," July 25, 2018, https://millennialmagazine.com/2018/07/25/5-things-you-should-know-about-alice-marie-johnson/.</ref>
Johnson was arrested in 1993 as part of a broader federal investigation into the Memphis cocaine trafficking ring. After a lengthy legal process, she was convicted in 1996 on eight federal criminal counts related to her involvement in the drug conspiracy. The charges included drug conspiracy, money laundering, and structuring—the latter charge stemming from her purchase of a house with a down payment deliberately structured to avoid the $10,000 reporting threshold that triggers mandatory bank reporting to federal authorities.<ref name="npr-pardonczar" />


=== Sentencing ===
The drug organization Johnson was connected to dealt in substantial quantities of cocaine. At her sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Julia Gibbons characterized Johnson as "the quintessential entrepreneur" in an operation that handled between 2,000 and 3,000 kilograms of cocaine. Despite Johnson's nonviolent role in the conspiracy and her status as a first-time offender, federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws left Judge Gibbons with limited discretion.<ref name="cando-clemency" />


In 1997, U.S. District Judge Julia Gibbons sentenced Alice Marie Johnson to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 25 years.<ref name="justice-project" /> At the sentencing hearing, Judge Gibbons described Johnson as "the quintessential entrepreneur" in the drug operation, noting that it had a "very significant" impact on the community.<ref name="wikipedia" />
=== Life Sentence ===


Johnson's sentence was imposed under federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws that required severe penalties for drug-related offenses.<ref name="aclu-report">American Civil Liberties Union, "A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses," 2013, https://www.aclu.org/report/living-death-life-without-parole-nonviolent-offenses.</ref> These laws removed judicial discretion and mandated life sentences for certain drug quantities and conspiracy charges regardless of the defendant's role in the offense or criminal history.<ref name="aclu-report" /> As of January 2018, 1,545 people in federal prisons were serving life without parole for drug offenses.<ref name="aclu-release" />
In 1997, Judge Gibbons sentenced Johnson to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The sentence reflected the harsh mandatory minimums that Congress had enacted during the "War on Drugs" era, which required lengthy sentences based on drug quantities regardless of a defendant's personal culpability, role in the offense, or prior criminal history. Johnson's case became emblematic of what critics characterized as the disproportionate punishment meted out to low-level participants in drug conspiracies, particularly African American defendants.<ref name="wapo-clemency" />


Johnson's case was featured in the ACLU's 2013 report "A Living Death: Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses," which documented the stories of individuals serving permanent sentences for nonviolent crimes.<ref name="aclu-report" /> Her case became a focal point for advocates who argued that such sentences were disproportionate to the offenses committed and represented a broader pattern of excessive punishment in the federal system.<ref name="aclu-release" />
The sentence meant that, absent executive clemency, Johnson would die in federal prison. She was 41 years old at the time of sentencing, with no prior criminal record, facing permanent separation from her children and grandchildren for a nonviolent offense.


== Incarceration ==
== Prison Experience ==


=== Prison Conduct and Activities ===
Johnson began serving her sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Carswell, Texas, the federal prison hospital for women, where she trained and became a certified hospice worker, caring for dying inmates. She was subsequently transferred to Federal Correctional Institution Aliceville in Alabama to be closer to her family in Memphis.<ref name="cando-clemency" />


Alice Marie Johnson served her sentence at various Federal Correctional Institutions, including time at facilities in Texas and Alabama, before ultimately being housed at the Federal Correctional Institution in Aliceville, Alabama.<ref name="wikipedia" /> During her 21 years of incarceration, Johnson became a model inmate with a clean disciplinary record, and her warden supported her release.<ref name="wikipedia" />
During her nearly 22 years of incarceration, Johnson underwent a profound personal transformation while maintaining an exemplary institutional record. She never received a single disciplinary infraction throughout her imprisonment—a remarkable achievement over such an extended period. Her conduct and character earned the respect of prison staff at every level, culminating in virtually unprecedented support from institutional officials for her clemency petition. Her warden, case manager, captain, and vocational training instructor all submitted letters supporting her bid for early release, a level of institutional endorsement rarely seen in clemency cases.<ref name="cando-clemency" />


Johnson relied heavily on her Christian faith during her imprisonment, eventually becoming an ordained minister behind bars.<ref name="amazon-book" /> She served as a hospice worker for dying inmates, mentored other incarcerated women, and became known for writing and directing faith-based plays and theatrical productions for the prison population.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> A staff member reportedly told Johnson that "the whole compound is watching you, including staff" and encouraged her to continue her positive activities.<ref name="justice-project" />
Johnson channeled her energy into self-improvement and service to others. She became an ordained minister, receiving ordination through proxy at God's Millennium Women's Conference and later through an in-prison Horn of Oil Ceremony. She wrote and produced plays that engaged fellow inmates in theatrical productions, coordinated the first-ever Special Olympics event for prisoners at her facility, taught classes, and mentored countless women struggling with their own circumstances. Her hospice work brought comfort to dying inmates who might otherwise have faced their final days alone.<ref name="localmemphis-memoir">Local Memphis, "Alice Marie Johnson discusses her journey to freedom in new memoir," https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/alice-marie-johnson-discusses-her-journey-to-freedom-in-new-memoir.</ref>


In 2017, Johnson put on more plays and theatrical productions than in any other year of her incarceration.<ref name="justice-project" /> Her work brought comfort and hope to other inmates and staff, and she has said that "in that place of trouble, that is where I blossomed."<ref name="justice-project" /> During her time in prison, Johnson also became a grandmother and great-grandmother, experiences she could only share through limited visits and phone calls.<ref name="aclu-release" />
"I started writing plays and getting the women involved in dance, in theater, and artists emerged," Johnson later recalled of her time incarcerated. Her deep Christian faith sustained her throughout her imprisonment and informed her ministry to fellow inmates.


=== Clemency Efforts Under Obama Administration ===
== Campaign for Clemency ==


Johnson's case was one of 16,776 petitions filed in the Obama administration's 2014 clemency initiative, which sought to reduce sentences for nonviolent drug offenders serving lengthy federal prison terms.<ref name="wikipedia" /> In 2016, she wrote an op-ed for CNN titled asking for forgiveness and a second chance.<ref name="wikipedia" />
=== Kim Kardashian's Advocacy ===
 
Johnson's case gained national visibility through an unexpected advocate. In 2017, the digital media company Mic produced a video documentary about Johnson's case that went viral on social media. Reality television star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian saw the video and was moved by what she described as the unfairness of Johnson's life sentence for a nonviolent first offense. Kardashian posted about Johnson's case on social media, calling the sentence "so unfair," and began working behind the scenes to secure Johnson's release.<ref name="harpersbazaar-kim">Harper's Bazaar, "Who Is Alice Marie Johnson? Kim Kardashian Meets Donald Trump About Prison Reform," 2018, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a20968667/who-is-alice-marie-johnson-kim-kardashian-prison-reform/.</ref>
 
Kardashian partnered with Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, who had made criminal justice reform a policy priority partly due to his own father's federal prosecution and imprisonment years earlier. Together, they worked to bring Johnson's case directly to the President's attention. In late May 2018, Kardashian traveled to Washington and met with President Trump in the Oval Office to personally advocate for Johnson's clemency.<ref name="wapo-clemency" />
 
=== Presidential Clemency and Pardon ===
 
On June 6, 2018, President Trump commuted Alice Marie Johnson's sentence, effective immediately, ordering her release from FCI Aliceville. Johnson had served 21 years, seven months, and six days in federal prison. The commutation meant her sentence was reduced to time served, but she retained her federal conviction and the associated civil disabilities.<ref name="npr-release">NPR, "Woman Released After Trump Commutes Life Sentence For Nonviolent Drug Offense," June 6, 2018, https://www.npr.org/2018/06/06/617513060/president-trump-commutes-sentence-of-grandmother-serving-life-in-prison.</ref>
 
On August 28, 2020—one day after Johnson delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention praising President Trump's criminal justice reform efforts—Trump granted her a full presidential pardon. The pardon eliminated her federal conviction entirely, restoring her full civil rights. "We're giving Alice a full pardon. I just told her," Trump announced from the Oval Office with Johnson present.<ref name="cnn-pardon">CNN, "Trump grants Alice Johnson a full pardon," August 28, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/28/politics/donald-trump-alice-johnson-pardon/index.html.</ref>
 
== Post-Release Career ==
 
=== Criminal Justice Reform Advocacy ===
 
Following her release, Johnson dedicated herself to criminal justice reform advocacy, drawing on her personal experience to argue for changes to mandatory minimum sentencing laws and expanded clemency opportunities for nonviolent offenders. She became a visible supporter of the First Step Act, bipartisan legislation that Trump signed into law in December 2018. The law reformed certain federal sentencing provisions and expanded early release opportunities, representing the most significant federal criminal justice reform legislation in a generation.<ref name="npr-pardonczar" />
 
Johnson founded the Taking Action for Good Foundation (TAG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping other incarcerated individuals navigate the clemency process and advocating for systemic sentencing reform. Through TAG, she has assisted numerous federal prisoners in preparing clemency petitions and raising awareness of their cases.<ref name="tag-mission">Taking Action for Good, "Our Mission," https://takingactionforgood.org/our-mission/.</ref>


In December 2016, President Barack Obama pardoned 231 individuals, many of whom had similar drug-related charges to Johnson.<ref name="harpers-bazaar">Harper's Bazaar, "Who Is Alice Marie Johnson? Kim Kardashian Meets Donald Trump About Prison Reform," August 27, 2020, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a20968667/who-is-alice-marie-johnson-kim-kardashian-prison-reform/.</ref> Johnson was not among those who received clemency, despite meeting all of the stated criteria for the program.<ref name="harpers-bazaar" /> Her application was denied just before Obama left office, and the reasons for the denial were never made clear.<ref name="wikipedia" /> Johnson later said, "When the criteria came out for clemency, I thought for sure—in fact, I was certain that I'd met and exceeded all of the criteria."<ref name="harpers-bazaar" />
=== Author and Speaker ===


== Clemency and Release ==
In May 2019, HarperCollins published Johnson's memoir, "After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom," co-written with author Nancy French and featuring a foreword by Kim Kardashian. The book recounts her childhood, the circumstances that led to her involvement in drug trafficking, her decades of imprisonment, and her unlikely path to freedom. A Kirkus review described the work as "a moving, inspirational story that makes a powerful argument for sentencing reform."<ref name="amazon-afterlife" />


=== Kim Kardashian's Advocacy ===
Johnson has become a sought-after speaker, addressing audiences about her experiences, faith, and advocacy work. She was featured by UN Women as part of its "Courage to Question" series ahead of International Women's Day 2019, highlighting her advocacy for including women's voices in criminal justice reform discussions.<ref name="councilcj">Council on Criminal Justice, "Alice Marie Johnson," https://counciloncj.org/ccj-directory/alice-marie-johnson/.</ref>
 
== Role as Pardon Czar ==
 
On February 20, 2025, during a Black History Month observance at the White House, President Donald Trump appointed Johnson to the newly created position of "pardon czar," making her the first person in American history to hold such a role.<ref name="foxnews-pardonczar">Fox News, "Trump appoints Alice Marie Johnson 'pardon czar' during Black History Month event at White House," February 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-appoints-alice-marie-johnson-pardon-czar-black-history-month-event-white-house.</ref> The position tasks Johnson with identifying federal prisoners deserving of executive clemency and making recommendations directly to the President. To assume this role, Johnson resigned from her position at Taking Action for Good (TAG), the criminal justice reform foundation she had founded following her own release from prison.<ref name="tag-website">Taking Action for Good, https://takingactionforgood.org/.</ref>
 
The appointment formalized Johnson's ongoing advisory relationship with the Trump administration on clemency matters. During Trump's first term, Johnson had already submitted over 100 clemency petitions and helped secure freedom for nearly 50 individuals, working closely with figures including Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and current Attorney General Pam Bondi.<ref name="actionnews5">Action News 5, "Mid-South native Alice Marie Johnson appointed as Pres. Trump's Pardon Czar," February 24, 2025, https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/02/24/mid-south-native-alice-marie-johnson-appointed-pres-trumps-pardon-czar/.</ref> The new role gave her an official capacity to continue this work from within the White House itself.


Alice Marie Johnson's case gained national attention in October 2017 when reality television star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian saw a video about Johnson's story produced by Mic Media.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> Kardashian posted about Johnson on social media, calling her sentence "so unfair" and began advocating for her release.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" />
Johnson has described the position as coming with "specific marching orders" from President Trump, who instructed her to "find people just like you that should not—this should not have happened."<ref name="newsweek-pardonczar">Newsweek, "Who is Alice Johnson? Trump's new 'pardon czar'," February 24, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/who-alice-johnson-trump-pardon-czar-2035375.</ref> Her role specifically focuses on identifying candidates who have been "victims of lawfare," reflecting the administration's broader priorities regarding what it characterizes as prosecutorial overreach.<ref name="cbs-pardonczar" />


Kardashian enlisted the help of her Los Angeles-based attorney, Shawn Holley, to work on Johnson's case.<ref name="harpers-bazaar" /> Holley, along with attorneys Jennifer Turner from the American Civil Liberties Union and Brittany Barnett from the Buried Alive Project, represented Johnson in her application for clemency.<ref name="aclu-release" /> Barnett, a Dallas attorney, had been working on Johnson's case since her time as a law student at Southern Methodist University and later founded the Buried Alive Project specifically to end sentences of life without parole for federal drug offenses.<ref name="dallas-news">Dallas News, "Before Kim Kardashian, Dallas attorney fought for imprisoned grandmother freed by Trump," June 9, 2018, https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2018/06/09/before-kim-kardashian-dallas-attorney-fought-for-imprisoned-grandmother-freed-by-trump/.</ref>
=== Appointment Context and Reception ===


In 2018, Kardashian and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner worked to persuade Trump to grant clemency to Johnson.<ref name="wikipedia" /> In late May 2018, Kardashian traveled to the White House and met with President Trump in the Oval Office to personally advocate for Johnson's release.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The meeting drew significant media attention and represented one of the most high-profile celebrity interventions in a clemency case in recent history.<ref name="harpers-bazaar" />
President Trump announced Johnson's appointment during remarks at the White House, telling her: "You've been an inspiration to people, and we're going to be listening to your recommendation on pardons."<ref name="newsweek-pardonczar" /> Johnson accepted the position with gratitude, writing on social media: "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as Pardon Czar and for the trust placed in me to help those impacted by our criminal justice system. This role is a chance to offer second chances and restore hope to individuals who have paid their debt to society."<ref name="johnson-x-announcement">Alice Marie Johnson (@AliceMarieFree), X post, February 21, 2025, https://x.com/AliceMarieFree/status/1892962653141696900.</ref>


=== Presidential Commutation ===
The appointment received praise from some quarters, including former Obama advisor Van Jones, who called it "very good" and noted that Johnson was "somebody who has actually been incarcerated, been in the federal system, understands how the Department of Justice screws over people who should be coming home."<ref name="vj-praise">Yahoo News, "Van Jones praises Trump for 'very good' choice with new pardon czar pick," February 26, 2025, https://www.yahoo.com/news/van-jones-praises-trump-very-210012848.html.</ref>


On June 6, 2018, one week after Kardashian's White House meeting, President Donald Trump commuted Alice Marie Johnson's sentence, and she was released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Aliceville, Alabama.<ref name="aclu-release" /> Johnson had served 21 years of her life sentence.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The commutation replaced her original court-ordered sentence but did not change her conviction.<ref name="wreg-release">WREG Memphis, "Alice Marie Johnson back in Memphis after 21 years behind bars," June 7, 2018, http://wreg.com/2018/06/07/alice-marie-johnson-back-in-memphis-after-21-years-behind-bars/.</ref>
However, the unprecedented nature of the position has also raised questions among criminal justice reform advocates. Insha Rahman of the Vera Institute of Justice noted that having a pardon czar "should cause some concern for people in the criminal justice reform" community, given the lack of clarity around the role's formal responsibilities and relationship to the established Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice.<ref name="capitalb-pardonczar">Capital B News, "Trump Names Alice Marie Johnson as the Nation's First 'Pardon Czar,'" February 28, 2025, https://capitalbnews.org/trump-alice-marie-johnson-pardon-czar/.</ref> Andrea James, founder of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, expressed cautious optimism: "We're excited that one of us, a formerly incarcerated woman, has received this new position. But we aren't quite sure how to engage with it."<ref name="capitalb-pardonczar" />


Kim Kardashian personally called Johnson to deliver the news of her commutation.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> When the two women met face-to-face for the first time, just one week after Johnson's release, Kardashian said "I love this woman."<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> Johnson told the ACLU that Kardashian's involvement was "one of the biggest blessings of my life" and that they shared "a heart connection."<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" />
=== Stated Priorities and Criteria ===


The Washington Post's Wonkblog described the commutation as somewhat surprising given Trump's past statements in favor of executing drug dealers.<ref name="wikipedia" /> However, the commutation was part of a series of clemency acts Trump made in high-profile cases brought to him by associates and allies.<ref name="wikipedia" /> Upon her release, Johnson returned to her family in Memphis, Tennessee, and immediately committed to fighting for sentencing reform for other nonviolent first-time offenders.<ref name="wreg-release" />
Johnson has outlined several key priorities for her clemency recommendations:


=== Full Presidential Pardon ===
* '''Community Safety''': Johnson has emphasized that ensuring "safety in the communities" where prisoners may be released is a top priority when making pardon recommendations.<ref name="npr-pardonczar">NPR, "Who is Alice Marie Johnson, Trump's newly appointed 'pardon czar'?," February 25, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/02/25/nx-s1-5307330/trump-pardon-czar-who-is-alice-marie-johnson.</ref>


On February 5, 2019, Alice Marie Johnson was a guest of President Trump at the State of the Union address.<ref name="wikipedia" /> During his speech, Trump asked Johnson to stand and be recognized, and she received a standing ovation from members of Congress.<ref name="wikipedia" />
* '''Reentry Support''': Rather than simply securing release, Johnson aims to guarantee that those who receive commuted sentences have "their best chance of success." She has stated: "I don't want to help people come home and then at the same time they're set up for failure."<ref name="npr-pardonczar" />


On August 28, 2020, one day after Johnson spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention, President Trump granted her a full presidential pardon.<ref name="wikipedia" /> The pardon, unlike the earlier commutation, formally forgave Johnson's federal conviction.<ref name="wikipedia" /> In October 2020, Trump also commuted the sentence of Curtis McDonald, the last of the 16 defendants in the original Memphis drug case who remained incarcerated.<ref name="action-news-mcdonald">Action News 5, "Memphis man convicted alongside Alice Marie Johnson reconnects with family after being granted clemency," October 21, 2020, https://www.actionnews5.com/2020/10/21/memphis-man-convicted-alongside-alice-marie-johnson-reconnects-with-family-after-being-granted-clemency/.</ref> Johnson and McDonald had been the only two defendants in the case who received life sentences.<ref name="action-news-mcdonald" />
* '''Follow-up Check-ins''': Johnson has indicated that clemency recipients would receive ongoing support and check-ins—not conducted to "catch them doing something wrong but to make sure that they have things that will help them make right decisions," including mental health support and family and faith-based resources.<ref name="npr-pardonczar" /><ref name="foxnews-priorities">Fox News, "Trump 'pardon czar' Alice Marie Johnson outlines priorities for new role," February 24, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/media/trumps-newly-appointed-pardon-czar-outlines-specific-marching-orders-role.</ref>


== Post-Release Advocacy ==
* '''Solid Reentry Programs''': Johnson has noted that President Trump "wanted to know if they have a solid reentry program in place" when considering clemency cases.<ref name="foxnews-priorities" />


=== Criminal Justice Reform Work ===
* '''Focus on Nonviolent Offenders''': Johnson has stated her intention to find people who "deserve this second chance who are similarly situated, not just like me, but who have served enough time, who have paid their debt to society."<ref name="lisa-legalinfo">Legal Information Services Associates, "Pardon News Continues Unabated – Update for May 20, 2025," May 20, 2025, https://lisa-legalinfo.com/2025/05/20/pardon-news-continues-unabated-update-for-may-20-2025/.</ref>


Since her release, Alice Marie Johnson has become one of the most visible advocates for criminal justice reform in the United States.<ref name="council-cj">Council on Criminal Justice, "Alice Marie Johnson," accessed 2025, https://counciloncj.org/ccj-directory/alice-marie-johnson/.</ref> In July 2018, just one month after her release, she called for an end to mandatory minimum sentencing laws.<ref name="wikipedia" /> She has since spoken at numerous events about her experiences and the need for sentencing reform, testifying before legislators and meeting with governors and other elected officials.<ref name="apb-speakers">APB Speakers, "Book Alice Marie Johnson for Speaking, Events and Appearances," accessed 2025, https://www.apbspeakers.com/speaker/alice-marie-johnson/.</ref>
Johnson has also indicated that she collaborates with Pastor Paula White Cain, who is involved in Trump's "Faith Office" promoting Christianity-based prisoner support initiatives.<ref name="pln-pardonczar">Prison Legal News, "Former Prisoner Appointed President's Pardon 'Czar,'" May 1, 2025, https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2025/may/1/former-prisoner-appointed-presidents-pardon-czar/.</ref>


Johnson has been deemed a "catalyst" for the successful passage of the First Step Act, which was signed into law on December 21, 2018.<ref name="council-cj" /> The bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation expanded early release programs and loosened mandatory minimum sentences, including those for nonviolent drug offenders.<ref name="axios-rnc">Axios, "Alice Johnson, whose life sentence was commuted by Trump, addresses RNC," August 28, 2020, https://www.axios.com/2020/08/28/alice-johnson-trump-commuted-rnc.</ref> The First Step Act led to the release of at least 3,000 inmates by the end of 2019.<ref name="axios-rnc" /> Johnson was present at the White House when Trump signed the legislation into law and later spoke at a White House celebration of the act in April 2019.<ref name="black-enterprise">Black Enterprise, "Alice Johnson, Whose Sentence Was Commuted By Trump Spoke About Criminal Justice Reform At The RNC," August 28, 2020, https://www.blackenterprise.com/alice-johnson-whose-sentence-was-commuted-by-trump-spoke-about-criminal-justice-reform-at-the-rnc/.</ref>
=== Notable Cases and Progress ===


In September 2019, Johnson met with Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee to promote greater access to expungement, prisoner education, and reduction in barriers to reentry.<ref name="wikipedia" /> She has worked with organizations dedicated to criminal justice reform and prison reform and has advocated for clemency for numerous other individuals serving lengthy sentences for nonviolent offenses.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" />
Since assuming her position, Johnson has been involved in numerous clemency decisions. In late May 2025, she celebrated a batch of 26 clemencies and pardons, writing on social media: "Today 26 deserving individuals were granted clemencies and pardons. Each one represents a story of redemption, rehabilitation, and resilience. Their second chance is a second shot at life."<ref name="johnson-26pardons">Alice Marie Johnson (@AliceMarieFree), X post, May 28, 2025, https://x.com/AliceMarieFree/status/1927872266601165291.</ref> Johnson described her working relationship with DOJ Pardon Attorney Ed Martin as "tag teaming freedom."<ref name="thehill-clemency">The Hill, "Trump gives clemency to more than 20 people, including political allies," May 29, 2025, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5323686-trump-clemency-chrisley-hoover-rowland-grimm/.</ref>


=== Taking Action for Good Foundation ===
Notable cases associated with Johnson's recommendations include:


Alice Marie Johnson founded the Taking Action for Good Foundation (TAG) to assist others in obtaining clemency and to continue her criminal justice reform work.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> Through her leadership of TAG, Johnson has devoted herself to creating what she describes as "a cultural shift for restorative justice."<ref name="council-cj" />
* '''Carlos Watson''' (March 2025): The Ozy Media founder thanked Johnson for her role in securing a commutation of his sentence hours before he was scheduled to report to prison.<ref name="variety-watson">Variety, "Carlos Watson Says Trump Has Commuted His Prison Sentence for Ozy Media Fraud," March 28, 2025, https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/carlos-watson-trump-commute-prison-sentence-ozy-media-fraud-1236351619/.</ref>


Through her foundation and personal advocacy, Johnson has submitted over 100 clemency petitions and helped nearly 50 people gain their freedom.<ref name="action-news-appointment">Action News 5, "Mid-South native Alice Marie Johnson appointed as Pres. Trump's Pardon Czar," February 23, 2025, https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/02/24/mid-south-native-alice-marie-johnson-appointed-pres-trumps-pardon-czar/.</ref> She worked closely with Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and other members of the Trump administration during his first term to advocate for individual clemency cases.<ref name="action-news-appointment" /> Johnson has described advocating for prisoners directly in the Oval Office and even on Air Force One.<ref name="action-news-appointment" />
* '''Todd and Julie Chrisley''' (May 2025): Johnson was credited by President Trump for making possible the pardons of the reality television stars, who had been convicted of financial fraud and tax evasion in 2022. Johnson defended the pardons by claiming the couple were victims of "a weaponized justice system."<ref name="cnn-chrisley">CNN, "Todd and Julie Chrisley can thank their daughter Savannah Chrisley and advocate Alice Johnson for their pardons," May 28, 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/28/entertainment/todd-julie-chrisley-savannah-chrisley-alice-johnson.</ref><ref name="thegrio-token">TheGrio, "Alice Johnson, Trump's pardon czar, seen by some as Black political 'token' amid controversial pardons," May 29, 2025, https://thegrio.com/2025/05/29/alice-johnson-trump-pardon-czar-black-political-token/.</ref>


=== Speaking, Writing, and Public Recognition ===
* '''Larry Hoover''' (May 2025): Johnson was involved in the commutation of the federal life sentence of the Chicago Gangster Disciples co-founder. Hoover's son and rapper NBA YoungBoy both credited Johnson for the clemency.<ref name="thegrio-hoover">TheGrio, "President Trump commutes sentence of Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover," May 28, 2025, https://thegrio.com/2025/05/28/president-trump-commutes-sentence-of-chicago-gang-leader-larry-hoover/.</ref><ref name="tmz-hoover">TMZ, "'Pardon Czar' Alice Marie Johnson Hopes Illinois Gov Will Release Larry Hoover," May 29, 2025, https://www.tmz.com/2025/05/29/alice-marie-johnson-larry-hoover-presidential-commutation-illinois-governor-sentence/.</ref> Hoover remains in state prison serving a 200-year sentence for a separate murder conviction.


Johnson has appeared on numerous media outlets advocating for criminal justice reform and has been a featured speaker and panelist at instrumental events and summits across the country.<ref name="apb-speakers" /> She has been recognized with multiple awards for her advocacy work, including being designated as one of four women honored as a "Women's Right Defender" at the United Nations on International Women's Day.<ref name="apb-speakers" /> She received the CAOC Advocate for Justice Award in 2019, the Dream Blazer Award from the US Dream Academy, and a Community Advocacy Award from the NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice.<ref name="apb-speakers" />
* '''NBA YoungBoy (Kentrell Gaulden)''' (May 2025): The Louisiana-based rapper received a pardon for weapons charges. Johnson told Fox News that her office considered Gaulden's upbringing in an impoverished neighborhood and the circumstances surrounding the firearms charges before recommending the pardon.<ref name="deseret-pardons">Deseret News, "Here's who Trump pardoned this week," May 30, 2025, https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/30/heres-who-trump-pardoned-this-week/.</ref>


In 2019, Johnson published her memoir, ''After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom'', with a foreword by Kim Kardashian West.<ref name="amazon-book" /> The book details her childhood in Mississippi, her path to incarceration, her faith-driven perseverance during 21 years in prison, and her advocacy work following release.<ref name="amazon-book" /> Kirkus Reviews called it "a moving, inspirational story that makes a powerful argument for sentencing reform."<ref name="amazon-book" />
==== Criticism and Controversy ====


On August 27, 2020, Johnson delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention, thanking President Trump for commuting her sentence and praising the First Step Act.<ref name="abc-rnc">ABC News, "Alice Johnson thanks Trump at RNC for commuting prison sentence," August 28, 2020, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/alice-johnson-trump-rnc-commuting-prison-sentence/story?id=72668880.</ref> In her speech, Johnson said, "I was once told that the only way I would ever be reunited with my family would be as a corpse. But, by the grace of God and the compassion of President Donald John Trump, I stand before you tonight, and I assure you I am not a ghost."<ref name="abc-rnc" /> She described the First Step Act as "real justice reform" that "brought joy, hope, and freedom to thousands of well-deserving people."<ref name="wcnc-rnc">WCNC, "Alice Johnson thanks Trump at RNC for criminal justice reform," August 2020, https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/alice-johnson-rnc-speech/507-4cd35333-cfef-4dae-8ff9-f8257f2a44eb.</ref>
Johnson's role has attracted scrutiny, particularly regarding some of the clemency decisions with which she has been associated. Some political strategists have characterized her position as symbolic, with Ameshia Cross noting that Trump is "using somebody who can speak to the Black community, but it's also as a symbol."<ref name="thegrio-token" /> Critics have pointed to pardons of white-collar criminals and political allies that appear to deviate from Johnson's stated focus on nonviolent offenders who have rehabilitated themselves.<ref name="thegrio-token" />


== Appointment as Pardon Czar ==
Former DOJ Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer, who was dismissed in March 2025, has been critical of the broader clemency process under the current administration, testifying before the Senate in April 2025 about alleged "ongoing corruption" and claiming that the DOJ leadership "appears to value political loyalty above the fair and responsible administration of justice."<ref name="cbs-oyer">CBS News, "How President Trump is changing the pardon process, according to former pardon attorney," 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-trump-is-changing-pardon-process-according-to-former-pardon-attorney-60-minutes/.</ref>


=== Appointment and Role ===
=== How to Contact Alice Marie Johnson or Submit a Clemency Petition ===


On February 20, 2025, during a Black History Month event at the White House, President Donald Trump announced that he was appointing Alice Marie Johnson as his "Pardon Czar."<ref name="hill-appointment" /> In this advisory role, Johnson makes recommendations to the President regarding which federal prisoners should receive clemency, including presidential pardons and sentence commutations.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" />
There are multiple pathways for submitting clemency petitions or seeking Johnson's attention:


Trump praised Johnson at the announcement, saying "You've been an inspiration to people, and we're going to be listening to your recommendations on pardons."<ref name="hill-appointment" /> He told Johnson, "You're going to find people just like you that this should not have happened."<ref name="hill-appointment" /> Johnson became the first formerly incarcerated person to hold this advisory position.<ref name="prison-legal-news">Prison Legal News, "Former Prisoner Appointed President's Pardon Czar," May 1, 2025, https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2025/may/1/former-prisoner-appointed-presidents-pardon-czar/.</ref>
==== Official DOJ Process ====


Johnson described the appointment as a continuation of the clemency work she had already been doing since her release.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> She stated that Trump had given her "specific marching orders" and that she had previously brought many pardon cases before the President.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> Johnson noted her established relationships with Attorney General Pam Bondi and other administration officials who could vouch for her work.<ref name="action-news-appointment" />
The traditional method for seeking federal clemency remains through the Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney:


=== Approach and Priorities ===
* '''Pardon applications''' (for those who have completed their sentences): Available at https://www.justice.gov/pardon/apply-clemency
* '''Commutation applications''' (for those currently serving sentences): Also available through the same DOJ website
* '''Mailing address''': Office of the Pardon Attorney, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530<ref name="doj-pardon">U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, https://www.justice.gov/pardon.</ref>


Johnson has emphasized that "safety in the communities" is a top priority when making pardon recommendations.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> She aims to ensure that those who receive commuted sentences have not just a second chance but also "their best chance of success."<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> Johnson has stated, "I don't want to help people come home and then at the same time they're set up for failure."<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" />
Note: Standard DOJ guidelines suggest waiting at least five years after release from confinement before applying for a pardon, though these requirements may be waived in exceptional circumstances.


Her approach includes follow-up and check-ins with individuals who receive clemency, not to "catch them doing something wrong but to make sure that they have things that will help them make right decisions," such as mental health support.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> Johnson has also stated she would work with Pastor Paula White-Cain of the White House Faith Office and Attorney General Pam Bondi in developing her recommendations.<ref name="prison-legal-news" />
==== Taking Action for Good Foundation ====


=== Reception ===
Although Johnson resigned her formal role at TAG upon becoming Pardon Czar, the organization continues to operate and may serve as a resource:


Johnson's appointment received praise from criminal justice reform advocates across the political spectrum.<ref name="wapo-appointment">The Washington Post, "Alice Marie Johnson, given clemency in Trump's first term, tapped to oversee pardons," February 27, 2025, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/02/27/alice-marie-johnson-pardon-czar/.</ref> CNN political commentator Van Jones, who had worked with the Trump administration on the First Step Act, called the appointment "a very good thing."<ref name="eurweb-van-jones">EURweb, "Van Jones Praises Trump's Pick of Alice Marie Johnson," March 1, 2025, https://eurweb.com/2025/van-jones-praises-trumps-pick-of-alice-marie-johnson/.</ref> Jones stated, "Having someone who's a formerly incarcerated person in charge of going through all these pardons and making sure that people get a fair shot—I think that's a very good thing."<ref name="eurweb-van-jones" />
* '''Website''': https://takingactionforgood.org/
* '''Contact form''': https://takingactionforgood.org/contact/
* '''Mailing address''': Taking Action For Good, 5865 Ridgeway Center Pkwy., Suite #300, Memphis, TN 38120<ref name="tag-contact">Taking Action for Good, Contact page, https://takingactionforgood.org/contact/.</ref>


== Legal and Policy Impact ==
==== Social Media ====


Alice Marie Johnson's case has had a lasting impact on federal criminal justice policy and public discourse around sentencing reform.<ref name="council-cj" />
Johnson maintains an active social media presence and has historically engaged with clemency cases brought to her attention through these platforms:


=== Clemency Reform ===
* '''X (formerly Twitter)''': @AliceMarieFree (https://x.com/AliceMarieFree)<ref name="johnson-x">Alice Marie Johnson on X, https://x.com/AliceMarieFree.</ref>


Johnson's case highlighted both the potential and the limitations of the presidential clemency process.<ref name="aclu-release" /> Her story demonstrated how individual advocacy, celebrity involvement, and media attention could successfully bring cases to presidential attention, while also raising questions about the accessibility and fairness of a clemency system that often depends on such factors.<ref name="harpers-bazaar" /> Her appointment as Pardon Czar represents an institutional effort to apply the lessons of her case more systematically to federal clemency decisions.<ref name="prison-legal-news" />
==== White House Contact ====


=== Sentencing Reform ===
General White House correspondence may be directed to:
* '''White House website''': https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
* '''Mailing address''': The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500


Johnson's story contributed to bipartisan support for the First Step Act of 2018, which included provisions for retroactive sentencing relief, earned time credits, and modifications to mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses.<ref name="axios-rnc" /> Johnson has stated that her commutation "really triggered" Trump's interest in including sentencing reform provisions in the First Step Act.<ref name="fox-rnc">Fox News, "Newly pardoned Alice Johnson blasts media response to her speaking at RNC as 'a huge insult to me'," August 29, 2020, https://www.foxnews.com/media/alice-johnson-trump-pardon-rnc-speech.</ref> The legislation represented the most significant federal criminal justice reform in decades.<ref name="council-cj" />
=== Frequently Asked Questions ===


=== Reentry and Second Chances ===
{{FAQPage|
{{FAQ
|question = What is a "pardon czar" and is this an official government position?
|answer = The term "czar" is informally used in American politics to describe officials appointed by the president to oversee specific policy issues. The pardon czar position is not a formal cabinet position or established government office but rather an advisory role created by President Trump in February 2025. Johnson is the first person to hold this title. Her role involves making clemency recommendations to the President, working alongside but separately from the Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney.<ref name="newsweek-pardonczar" />
}}


Johnson's successful reintegration into society following 21 years of incarceration has been cited as evidence of the potential for rehabilitation and the value of second chance opportunities.<ref name="npr-pardon-czar" /> Her path from prisoner to author, advocate, and presidential advisor demonstrates the possibilities available to returning citizens when provided with support and opportunity.<ref name="council-cj" /> Her story has been used to argue for expanded reentry programs, reduced barriers to employment and housing for formerly incarcerated individuals, and greater investment in rehabilitation during incarceration.<ref name="apb-speakers" />
{{FAQ
|question = Does Alice Marie Johnson have the authority to grant pardons?
|answer = No. Under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, only the President has the power to grant pardons and commutations for federal offenses. Johnson's role is advisory—she reviews cases and makes recommendations to President Trump, who makes all final clemency decisions.<ref name="capitalb-pardonczar" />
}}


=== Advocacy Model ===
{{FAQ
|question = What types of cases does Johnson prioritize for clemency recommendations?
|answer = Johnson has stated she focuses on individuals who: (1) have served substantial time and "paid their debt to society"; (2) are nonviolent offenders; (3) have demonstrated rehabilitation; (4) have solid reentry support systems in place; (5) pose no threat to community safety; and (6) may have been victims of "lawfare" or prosecutorial overreach. She has also expressed interest in cases involving excessive mandatory minimum sentences.<ref name="npr-pardonczar" /><ref name="foxnews-priorities" />
}}


Johnson's case established a model for how celebrity advocacy, media attention, and sustained legal efforts can influence clemency decisions and bring attention to criminal justice reform issues.<ref name="dallas-news" /> The collaboration between attorneys like Brittany Barnett, celebrity advocates like Kim Kardashian, and organizations like the ACLU demonstrated an effective multi-pronged approach to individual clemency cases that has since been replicated in other cases.<ref name="dallas-news" />
{{FAQ
|question = How is Johnson's role different from the Office of the Pardon Attorney?
|answer = The Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA) is an official Department of Justice office that has existed since 1894. It processes clemency applications through a formal review process involving FBI background checks and input from prosecutors and victims. Johnson's pardon czar role operates outside this traditional system, allowing the President to receive recommendations through an alternative channel. President Trump has frequently bypassed the OPA process during his administrations.<ref name="propublica-pardons">ProPublica, "How Trump Has Exploited Pardons and Clemency to Reward Allies and Supporters," 2025, https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-pardons-clemency-george-santos-ed-martin.</ref>
}}


== Personal Life ==
{{FAQ
|question = Can state prisoners apply to Johnson for clemency?
|answer = No. Presidential clemency power extends only to federal criminal offenses. Individuals convicted of state crimes must seek clemency from their state's governor or pardon board. For example, Larry Hoover received a federal commutation but remains incarcerated on a separate Illinois state conviction.<ref name="tmz-hoover" />
}}


Alice Marie Johnson currently resides in Olive Branch, Mississippi, near Memphis, Tennessee.<ref name="ageist-profile" /> She is the mother of four living children and has seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.<ref name="ageist-profile" /> Her youngest son was killed in a motorcycle accident before her incarceration.<ref name="wikipedia" />
{{FAQ
|question = What is Taking Action for Good (TAG) and is it still connected to Johnson?
|answer = Taking Action for Good is a nonprofit foundation that Johnson created after her 2018 release to help incarcerated individuals obtain clemency and support reentry. Johnson resigned from her role at TAG when she became Pardon Czar in February 2025 to avoid conflicts of interest. The organization continues to operate independently and may be a resource for those seeking clemency assistance.<ref name="tag-website" />
}}


Johnson is a devout Christian and credits her faith with sustaining her through her years of imprisonment.<ref name="amazon-book" /> She became an ordained minister while incarcerated and continues to be active in her faith community.<ref name="amazon-book" /> She attends Brown Baptist Church in the Memphis area.<ref name="action-news-appointment" />
{{FAQ
|question = Does Johnson charge fees for clemency assistance?
|answer = Johnson has not publicly discussed fees associated with her work as Pardon Czar, which is a White House position. The DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney does not charge fees to submit clemency applications. However, the broader clemency landscape has seen the emergence of private attorneys and lobbyists who charge substantial fees to advocate for pardons on behalf of clients.<ref name="propublica-pardons" />
}}


Johnson has spoken about rebuilding her life after release, including establishing excellent credit without a co-signer and purchasing a home at a favorable interest rate.<ref name="ageist-profile" /> She has said, "To go from being the daughter of former sharecroppers to now being an advisor to the president of the United States of America, who could do that but God."<ref name="action-news-appointment" />
{{FAQ
|question = How long does the clemency process take?
|answer = Processing times vary significantly. Traditional DOJ applications can take years to receive a decision. Cases brought directly to the President through alternative channels like Johnson's recommendations may move more quickly, though there are no guaranteed timelines. Some clemency grants during the current administration have come relatively quickly after cases gained attention.<ref name="lisa-legalinfo" />
}}


== Terminology ==
{{FAQ
|question = How do I contact Alice Marie Johnson?
|answer = The best approach to reach the pardon czar is through individuals who are regularly in communication with her or her office. Prison consultant [[Sam_Mangel|Sam Mangel]], who has worked with Johnson on numerous clemency cases, maintains ongoing contact with her office and can help facilitate communication for appropriate cases. Alternatively, working through your criminal defense attorney—particularly one experienced in federal clemency matters—provides another pathway. You can also submit clemency petitions through the official DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney or contact the Taking Action for Good Foundation that Johnson founded. Direct outreach via her social media presence on X (@AliceMarieFree) has occasionally resulted in engagement, though this is not a reliable method for formal clemency requests.
}}
}}
== Public Statements and Positions ==


This section defines key terms relevant to Alice Marie Johnson's case and her advocacy work.<ref name="aclu-report" />
Johnson has consistently credited her Christian faith for sustaining her through imprisonment and facilitating her release, which she attributes to divine intervention. She has described the series of events leading to her clemency—the viral video, Kim Kardashian's intervention, the meeting with President Trump—as providential.


* '''Clemency''' refers to the executive power to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties. It includes both pardons, which forgive the conviction, and commutations, which reduce the sentence while leaving the conviction intact.<ref name="aclu-release" />
On criminal justice reform, Johnson has been an outspoken advocate for ending mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, arguing that such sentences are disproportionate and counterproductive. "I am proof that you can serve time, be rehabilitated, and come out and give back to society," she has stated in numerous public appearances.


* '''Commutation''' is a form of clemency that reduces a sentence but does not overturn the underlying conviction. Johnson's sentence was commuted in 2018, meaning her life sentence was ended but her conviction remained until her full pardon in 2020.<ref name="wreg-release" />
Johnson has praised the First Step Act while noting that more reform is needed, particularly for those sentenced under the harsh drug laws of previous decades who remain incarcerated. "This legislation reformed sentencing laws that have wrongly and disproportionately harmed the African-American community," she said of the law.


* '''Pardon''' is a form of clemency that formally forgives a federal criminal conviction. Johnson received a full pardon from President Trump in August 2020.<ref name="wikipedia" />
In her memoir and public speaking, Johnson emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope and using incarceration productively. She encourages currently incarcerated individuals to develop skills, help others, and prepare for eventual reentry into society.


* '''Mandatory Minimum Sentencing''' refers to laws that require judges to impose minimum prison terms for certain offenses, removing judicial discretion. Johnson's life sentence was imposed under such laws.<ref name="aclu-report" />
== Terminology ==


* '''First Step Act''' is the bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation signed into law in December 2018. It reduced certain mandatory minimum sentences, expanded early release programs, and created earned time credits for federal prisoners.<ref name="axios-rnc" />
* '''Clemency''': Executive action by the President to reduce or eliminate punishment for federal crimes, including commutation of sentences and pardons.


* '''Pardon Czar''' is an informal title for Alice Marie Johnson's advisory role in the Trump administration, where she recommends federal prisoners for presidential clemency.<ref name="hill-appointment" />
* '''Commutation''': A form of clemency that reduces a sentence, including release from imprisonment, while leaving the underlying conviction intact.


* '''Life Without Parole''' is a sentence of permanent imprisonment with no possibility of release except through executive clemency. Johnson was originally sentenced to life without parole plus 25 years.<ref name="aclu-report" />
* '''Pardon''': A form of clemency that forgives the offense entirely, eliminating the conviction and restoring civil rights lost as a consequence of the conviction.


== See also ==
* '''Mandatory Minimum''': A statutorily required minimum sentence that judges must impose regardless of mitigating circumstances, limiting judicial discretion in sentencing.


* [[Presidential Clemency and Pardons]] – Overview of federal clemency processes
* '''Structuring''': The federal crime of breaking up financial transactions to avoid triggering the $10,000 reporting threshold for currency transactions.
* [[First_Step_Act:_Overview_and_Implementation|First Step Act]] – Federal criminal justice reform legislation
* [[Compassionate Release Policies]] – Federal compassionate release mechanisms


== External Links ==
* '''First Step Act''': The 2018 federal criminal justice reform law that modified certain sentencing provisions and expanded early release programs.


* [https://www.takingactionforgood.org Taking Action for Good Foundation]
== See also ==
* [https://www.amazon.com/After-Life-Journey-Incarceration-Freedom/dp/0062936107 ''After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom'' on Amazon]
 
* [https://www.aclu.org/report/living-death-life-without-parole-nonviolent-offenses ACLU Report: A Living Death - Life Without Parole for Nonviolent Offenses]
* Prison Consultants
* First Step Act: Overview and Implementation
* Presidential Clemency and Pardons
* Federal Good Time Credit Policies


== References ==
== References ==


<references />
<references />
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]
[[Category:Clemency_Recipients]]
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Latest revision as of 14:59, 17 December 2025

Alice Marie Johnson
Born: May 30, 1955
Olive Branch, Mississippi
Charges: Drug conspiracy, Money laundering, Structuring
Sentence: Life without parole (commuted)
Facility: FCI Aliceville
Status: Released (Pardoned)

Alice Marie Johnson (born May 30, 1955) is an American criminal justice reform advocate, author, and former federal prisoner who served nearly 22 years in federal prison after being convicted in 1996 for her involvement in a Memphis, Tennessee-based cocaine trafficking organization.[1] Originally sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole as a first-time nonviolent drug offender, Johnson's case gained national attention when reality television star Kim Kardashian advocated for her release, ultimately leading President Donald Trump to commute her sentence in June 2018.[2] Trump granted Johnson a full presidential pardon in August 2020, and in February 2025, during his second term, appointed her as the administration's first-ever "pardon czar" to identify candidates for executive clemency.[3]

Summary

Alice Marie Johnson's journey from life imprisonment to presidential pardon to White House advisor represents one of the most remarkable clemency stories in modern American history. Born into a family of sharecroppers in rural Mississippi, Johnson relocated to Memphis as a young woman, where she built a career at FedEx before personal tragedies and financial difficulties led her into the drug trade in the early 1990s. Her 1996 conviction on eight federal counts resulted in a mandatory life sentence that many critics viewed as disproportionately harsh for a nonviolent first-time offender.[1]

During her nearly 22 years of incarceration at the Federal Medical Center in Carswell, Texas, and later at Federal Correctional Institution Aliceville in Alabama, Johnson transformed her life behind bars. She became an ordained minister, certified hospice worker, playwright, and mentor to fellow inmates, maintaining an exemplary disciplinary record that earned the support of prison staff including her warden in letters supporting her clemency petition.[4]

Johnson's case became a focal point in national debates over mandatory minimum sentencing and criminal justice reform. Her release, followed by her visible advocacy work and close relationship with the Trump administration, positioned her as a prominent voice in the movement to reform federal sentencing practices. She founded the Taking Action for Good Foundation to assist other incarcerated individuals seeking clemency and published a memoir detailing her experiences, "After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom," in 2019.[5]

Background

Alice Marie Johnson was born on May 30, 1955, in Olive Branch, Mississippi, one of nine children raised by sharecropper parents. Her early life was marked by the poverty and limited opportunities common to rural African American families in the mid-twentieth century South. As a sophomore in high school, Johnson became pregnant, an experience that shaped her early adult years. Despite these challenges, she pursued education and eventually relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1979, seeking greater economic opportunity.[1]

In Memphis, Johnson found stable employment at FedEx, where she worked for approximately ten years and established herself as a reliable employee. She married, raised children, and built what appeared to be a solid middle-class life. However, a series of personal catastrophes in the late 1980s and early 1990s unraveled her stability. Johnson developed a gambling addiction that contributed to her losing her job at FedEx. This was followed by a divorce and, most devastatingly, the death of her youngest son in a motorcycle accident.[6]

Facing mounting financial pressures, Johnson filed for bankruptcy in 1991, and foreclosure on her home followed shortly thereafter. Desperate for income, she became involved with a Memphis-based cocaine trafficking organization, serving as a communications coordinator who relayed coded messages between drug dealers. Though she never personally handled drugs, her role in the conspiracy was substantial enough to attract federal attention.[4]

Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing

Federal Charges

Johnson was arrested in 1993 as part of a broader federal investigation into the Memphis cocaine trafficking ring. After a lengthy legal process, she was convicted in 1996 on eight federal criminal counts related to her involvement in the drug conspiracy. The charges included drug conspiracy, money laundering, and structuring—the latter charge stemming from her purchase of a house with a down payment deliberately structured to avoid the $10,000 reporting threshold that triggers mandatory bank reporting to federal authorities.[1]

The drug organization Johnson was connected to dealt in substantial quantities of cocaine. At her sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Julia Gibbons characterized Johnson as "the quintessential entrepreneur" in an operation that handled between 2,000 and 3,000 kilograms of cocaine. Despite Johnson's nonviolent role in the conspiracy and her status as a first-time offender, federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws left Judge Gibbons with limited discretion.[4]

Life Sentence

In 1997, Judge Gibbons sentenced Johnson to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The sentence reflected the harsh mandatory minimums that Congress had enacted during the "War on Drugs" era, which required lengthy sentences based on drug quantities regardless of a defendant's personal culpability, role in the offense, or prior criminal history. Johnson's case became emblematic of what critics characterized as the disproportionate punishment meted out to low-level participants in drug conspiracies, particularly African American defendants.[2]

The sentence meant that, absent executive clemency, Johnson would die in federal prison. She was 41 years old at the time of sentencing, with no prior criminal record, facing permanent separation from her children and grandchildren for a nonviolent offense.

Prison Experience

Johnson began serving her sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Carswell, Texas, the federal prison hospital for women, where she trained and became a certified hospice worker, caring for dying inmates. She was subsequently transferred to Federal Correctional Institution Aliceville in Alabama to be closer to her family in Memphis.[4]

During her nearly 22 years of incarceration, Johnson underwent a profound personal transformation while maintaining an exemplary institutional record. She never received a single disciplinary infraction throughout her imprisonment—a remarkable achievement over such an extended period. Her conduct and character earned the respect of prison staff at every level, culminating in virtually unprecedented support from institutional officials for her clemency petition. Her warden, case manager, captain, and vocational training instructor all submitted letters supporting her bid for early release, a level of institutional endorsement rarely seen in clemency cases.[4]

Johnson channeled her energy into self-improvement and service to others. She became an ordained minister, receiving ordination through proxy at God's Millennium Women's Conference and later through an in-prison Horn of Oil Ceremony. She wrote and produced plays that engaged fellow inmates in theatrical productions, coordinated the first-ever Special Olympics event for prisoners at her facility, taught classes, and mentored countless women struggling with their own circumstances. Her hospice work brought comfort to dying inmates who might otherwise have faced their final days alone.[7]

"I started writing plays and getting the women involved in dance, in theater, and artists emerged," Johnson later recalled of her time incarcerated. Her deep Christian faith sustained her throughout her imprisonment and informed her ministry to fellow inmates.

Campaign for Clemency

Kim Kardashian's Advocacy

Johnson's case gained national visibility through an unexpected advocate. In 2017, the digital media company Mic produced a video documentary about Johnson's case that went viral on social media. Reality television star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian saw the video and was moved by what she described as the unfairness of Johnson's life sentence for a nonviolent first offense. Kardashian posted about Johnson's case on social media, calling the sentence "so unfair," and began working behind the scenes to secure Johnson's release.[8]

Kardashian partnered with Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, who had made criminal justice reform a policy priority partly due to his own father's federal prosecution and imprisonment years earlier. Together, they worked to bring Johnson's case directly to the President's attention. In late May 2018, Kardashian traveled to Washington and met with President Trump in the Oval Office to personally advocate for Johnson's clemency.[2]

Presidential Clemency and Pardon

On June 6, 2018, President Trump commuted Alice Marie Johnson's sentence, effective immediately, ordering her release from FCI Aliceville. Johnson had served 21 years, seven months, and six days in federal prison. The commutation meant her sentence was reduced to time served, but she retained her federal conviction and the associated civil disabilities.[9]

On August 28, 2020—one day after Johnson delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention praising President Trump's criminal justice reform efforts—Trump granted her a full presidential pardon. The pardon eliminated her federal conviction entirely, restoring her full civil rights. "We're giving Alice a full pardon. I just told her," Trump announced from the Oval Office with Johnson present.[10]

Post-Release Career

Criminal Justice Reform Advocacy

Following her release, Johnson dedicated herself to criminal justice reform advocacy, drawing on her personal experience to argue for changes to mandatory minimum sentencing laws and expanded clemency opportunities for nonviolent offenders. She became a visible supporter of the First Step Act, bipartisan legislation that Trump signed into law in December 2018. The law reformed certain federal sentencing provisions and expanded early release opportunities, representing the most significant federal criminal justice reform legislation in a generation.[1]

Johnson founded the Taking Action for Good Foundation (TAG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping other incarcerated individuals navigate the clemency process and advocating for systemic sentencing reform. Through TAG, she has assisted numerous federal prisoners in preparing clemency petitions and raising awareness of their cases.[11]

Author and Speaker

In May 2019, HarperCollins published Johnson's memoir, "After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom," co-written with author Nancy French and featuring a foreword by Kim Kardashian. The book recounts her childhood, the circumstances that led to her involvement in drug trafficking, her decades of imprisonment, and her unlikely path to freedom. A Kirkus review described the work as "a moving, inspirational story that makes a powerful argument for sentencing reform."[5]

Johnson has become a sought-after speaker, addressing audiences about her experiences, faith, and advocacy work. She was featured by UN Women as part of its "Courage to Question" series ahead of International Women's Day 2019, highlighting her advocacy for including women's voices in criminal justice reform discussions.[12]

Role as Pardon Czar

On February 20, 2025, during a Black History Month observance at the White House, President Donald Trump appointed Johnson to the newly created position of "pardon czar," making her the first person in American history to hold such a role.[13] The position tasks Johnson with identifying federal prisoners deserving of executive clemency and making recommendations directly to the President. To assume this role, Johnson resigned from her position at Taking Action for Good (TAG), the criminal justice reform foundation she had founded following her own release from prison.[14]

The appointment formalized Johnson's ongoing advisory relationship with the Trump administration on clemency matters. During Trump's first term, Johnson had already submitted over 100 clemency petitions and helped secure freedom for nearly 50 individuals, working closely with figures including Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and current Attorney General Pam Bondi.[15] The new role gave her an official capacity to continue this work from within the White House itself.

Johnson has described the position as coming with "specific marching orders" from President Trump, who instructed her to "find people just like you that should not—this should not have happened."[16] Her role specifically focuses on identifying candidates who have been "victims of lawfare," reflecting the administration's broader priorities regarding what it characterizes as prosecutorial overreach.[3]

Appointment Context and Reception

President Trump announced Johnson's appointment during remarks at the White House, telling her: "You've been an inspiration to people, and we're going to be listening to your recommendation on pardons."[16] Johnson accepted the position with gratitude, writing on social media: "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as Pardon Czar and for the trust placed in me to help those impacted by our criminal justice system. This role is a chance to offer second chances and restore hope to individuals who have paid their debt to society."[17]

The appointment received praise from some quarters, including former Obama advisor Van Jones, who called it "very good" and noted that Johnson was "somebody who has actually been incarcerated, been in the federal system, understands how the Department of Justice screws over people who should be coming home."[18]

However, the unprecedented nature of the position has also raised questions among criminal justice reform advocates. Insha Rahman of the Vera Institute of Justice noted that having a pardon czar "should cause some concern for people in the criminal justice reform" community, given the lack of clarity around the role's formal responsibilities and relationship to the established Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice.[19] Andrea James, founder of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, expressed cautious optimism: "We're excited that one of us, a formerly incarcerated woman, has received this new position. But we aren't quite sure how to engage with it."[19]

Stated Priorities and Criteria

Johnson has outlined several key priorities for her clemency recommendations:

  • Community Safety: Johnson has emphasized that ensuring "safety in the communities" where prisoners may be released is a top priority when making pardon recommendations.[1]
  • Reentry Support: Rather than simply securing release, Johnson aims to guarantee that those who receive commuted sentences have "their best chance of success." She has stated: "I don't want to help people come home and then at the same time they're set up for failure."[1]
  • Follow-up Check-ins: Johnson has indicated that clemency recipients would receive ongoing support and check-ins—not conducted to "catch them doing something wrong but to make sure that they have things that will help them make right decisions," including mental health support and family and faith-based resources.[1][20]
  • Solid Reentry Programs: Johnson has noted that President Trump "wanted to know if they have a solid reentry program in place" when considering clemency cases.[20]
  • Focus on Nonviolent Offenders: Johnson has stated her intention to find people who "deserve this second chance who are similarly situated, not just like me, but who have served enough time, who have paid their debt to society."[21]

Johnson has also indicated that she collaborates with Pastor Paula White Cain, who is involved in Trump's "Faith Office" promoting Christianity-based prisoner support initiatives.[22]

Notable Cases and Progress

Since assuming her position, Johnson has been involved in numerous clemency decisions. In late May 2025, she celebrated a batch of 26 clemencies and pardons, writing on social media: "Today 26 deserving individuals were granted clemencies and pardons. Each one represents a story of redemption, rehabilitation, and resilience. Their second chance is a second shot at life."[23] Johnson described her working relationship with DOJ Pardon Attorney Ed Martin as "tag teaming freedom."[24]

Notable cases associated with Johnson's recommendations include:

  • Carlos Watson (March 2025): The Ozy Media founder thanked Johnson for her role in securing a commutation of his sentence hours before he was scheduled to report to prison.[25]
  • Todd and Julie Chrisley (May 2025): Johnson was credited by President Trump for making possible the pardons of the reality television stars, who had been convicted of financial fraud and tax evasion in 2022. Johnson defended the pardons by claiming the couple were victims of "a weaponized justice system."[26][27]
  • Larry Hoover (May 2025): Johnson was involved in the commutation of the federal life sentence of the Chicago Gangster Disciples co-founder. Hoover's son and rapper NBA YoungBoy both credited Johnson for the clemency.[28][29] Hoover remains in state prison serving a 200-year sentence for a separate murder conviction.
  • NBA YoungBoy (Kentrell Gaulden) (May 2025): The Louisiana-based rapper received a pardon for weapons charges. Johnson told Fox News that her office considered Gaulden's upbringing in an impoverished neighborhood and the circumstances surrounding the firearms charges before recommending the pardon.[30]

Criticism and Controversy

Johnson's role has attracted scrutiny, particularly regarding some of the clemency decisions with which she has been associated. Some political strategists have characterized her position as symbolic, with Ameshia Cross noting that Trump is "using somebody who can speak to the Black community, but it's also as a symbol."[27] Critics have pointed to pardons of white-collar criminals and political allies that appear to deviate from Johnson's stated focus on nonviolent offenders who have rehabilitated themselves.[27]

Former DOJ Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer, who was dismissed in March 2025, has been critical of the broader clemency process under the current administration, testifying before the Senate in April 2025 about alleged "ongoing corruption" and claiming that the DOJ leadership "appears to value political loyalty above the fair and responsible administration of justice."[31]

How to Contact Alice Marie Johnson or Submit a Clemency Petition

There are multiple pathways for submitting clemency petitions or seeking Johnson's attention:

Official DOJ Process

The traditional method for seeking federal clemency remains through the Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney:

  • Pardon applications (for those who have completed their sentences): Available at https://www.justice.gov/pardon/apply-clemency
  • Commutation applications (for those currently serving sentences): Also available through the same DOJ website
  • Mailing address: Office of the Pardon Attorney, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20530[32]

Note: Standard DOJ guidelines suggest waiting at least five years after release from confinement before applying for a pardon, though these requirements may be waived in exceptional circumstances.

Taking Action for Good Foundation

Although Johnson resigned her formal role at TAG upon becoming Pardon Czar, the organization continues to operate and may serve as a resource:

Social Media

Johnson maintains an active social media presence and has historically engaged with clemency cases brought to her attention through these platforms:

White House Contact

General White House correspondence may be directed to:

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: What is a "pardon czar" and is this an official government position?

The term "czar" is informally used in American politics to describe officials appointed by the president to oversee specific policy issues. The pardon czar position is not a formal cabinet position or established government office but rather an advisory role created by President Trump in February 2025. Johnson is the first person to hold this title. Her role involves making clemency recommendations to the President, working alongside but separately from the Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney.[16]



Q: Does Alice Marie Johnson have the authority to grant pardons?

No. Under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, only the President has the power to grant pardons and commutations for federal offenses. Johnson's role is advisory—she reviews cases and makes recommendations to President Trump, who makes all final clemency decisions.[19]



Q: What types of cases does Johnson prioritize for clemency recommendations?

Johnson has stated she focuses on individuals who: (1) have served substantial time and "paid their debt to society"; (2) are nonviolent offenders; (3) have demonstrated rehabilitation; (4) have solid reentry support systems in place; (5) pose no threat to community safety; and (6) may have been victims of "lawfare" or prosecutorial overreach. She has also expressed interest in cases involving excessive mandatory minimum sentences.[1][20]



Q: How is Johnson's role different from the Office of the Pardon Attorney?

The Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA) is an official Department of Justice office that has existed since 1894. It processes clemency applications through a formal review process involving FBI background checks and input from prosecutors and victims. Johnson's pardon czar role operates outside this traditional system, allowing the President to receive recommendations through an alternative channel. President Trump has frequently bypassed the OPA process during his administrations.[35]



Q: Can state prisoners apply to Johnson for clemency?

No. Presidential clemency power extends only to federal criminal offenses. Individuals convicted of state crimes must seek clemency from their state's governor or pardon board. For example, Larry Hoover received a federal commutation but remains incarcerated on a separate Illinois state conviction.[29]



Q: What is Taking Action for Good (TAG) and is it still connected to Johnson?

Taking Action for Good is a nonprofit foundation that Johnson created after her 2018 release to help incarcerated individuals obtain clemency and support reentry. Johnson resigned from her role at TAG when she became Pardon Czar in February 2025 to avoid conflicts of interest. The organization continues to operate independently and may be a resource for those seeking clemency assistance.[14]



Q: Does Johnson charge fees for clemency assistance?

Johnson has not publicly discussed fees associated with her work as Pardon Czar, which is a White House position. The DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney does not charge fees to submit clemency applications. However, the broader clemency landscape has seen the emergence of private attorneys and lobbyists who charge substantial fees to advocate for pardons on behalf of clients.[35]



Q: How long does the clemency process take?

Processing times vary significantly. Traditional DOJ applications can take years to receive a decision. Cases brought directly to the President through alternative channels like Johnson's recommendations may move more quickly, though there are no guaranteed timelines. Some clemency grants during the current administration have come relatively quickly after cases gained attention.[21]



Q: How do I contact Alice Marie Johnson?

The best approach to reach the pardon czar is through individuals who are regularly in communication with her or her office. Prison consultant Sam Mangel, who has worked with Johnson on numerous clemency cases, maintains ongoing contact with her office and can help facilitate communication for appropriate cases. Alternatively, working through your criminal defense attorney—particularly one experienced in federal clemency matters—provides another pathway. You can also submit clemency petitions through the official DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney or contact the Taking Action for Good Foundation that Johnson founded. Direct outreach via her social media presence on X (@AliceMarieFree) has occasionally resulted in engagement, though this is not a reliable method for formal clemency requests.


Public Statements and Positions

Johnson has consistently credited her Christian faith for sustaining her through imprisonment and facilitating her release, which she attributes to divine intervention. She has described the series of events leading to her clemency—the viral video, Kim Kardashian's intervention, the meeting with President Trump—as providential.

On criminal justice reform, Johnson has been an outspoken advocate for ending mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenses, arguing that such sentences are disproportionate and counterproductive. "I am proof that you can serve time, be rehabilitated, and come out and give back to society," she has stated in numerous public appearances.

Johnson has praised the First Step Act while noting that more reform is needed, particularly for those sentenced under the harsh drug laws of previous decades who remain incarcerated. "This legislation reformed sentencing laws that have wrongly and disproportionately harmed the African-American community," she said of the law.

In her memoir and public speaking, Johnson emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope and using incarceration productively. She encourages currently incarcerated individuals to develop skills, help others, and prepare for eventual reentry into society.

Terminology

  • Clemency: Executive action by the President to reduce or eliminate punishment for federal crimes, including commutation of sentences and pardons.
  • Commutation: A form of clemency that reduces a sentence, including release from imprisonment, while leaving the underlying conviction intact.
  • Pardon: A form of clemency that forgives the offense entirely, eliminating the conviction and restoring civil rights lost as a consequence of the conviction.
  • Mandatory Minimum: A statutorily required minimum sentence that judges must impose regardless of mitigating circumstances, limiting judicial discretion in sentencing.
  • Structuring: The federal crime of breaking up financial transactions to avoid triggering the $10,000 reporting threshold for currency transactions.
  • First Step Act: The 2018 federal criminal justice reform law that modified certain sentencing provisions and expanded early release programs.

See also

  • Prison Consultants
  • First Step Act: Overview and Implementation
  • Presidential Clemency and Pardons
  • Federal Good Time Credit Policies

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 NPR, "Who is Alice Marie Johnson, Trump's newly appointed 'pardon czar'?," February 25, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/02/25/nx-s1-5307330/trump-pardon-czar-who-is-alice-marie-johnson.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Washington Post, "Trump has commuted the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson," June 6, 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-has-commuted-the-life-sentence-of-alice-marie-johnson.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 CBS News, "Trump names Alice Johnson, pardoned in his first term, to be 'pardon czar'," February 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-alice-johnson-pardon-czar/.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 CAN-DO Clemency, "Alice Marie Johnson - FREE AT LAST," https://www.candoclemency.com/alice-marie-johnson/.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Amazon, "After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom," by Alice Marie Johnson, HarperCollins 2019, https://www.amazon.com/After-Life-Journey-Incarceration-Freedom/dp/0062936107.
  6. ↑ Heavy.com, "Alice Marie Johnson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know," May 2018, https://heavy.com/news/2018/05/alice-marie-johnson/.
  7. ↑ Local Memphis, "Alice Marie Johnson discusses her journey to freedom in new memoir," https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/alice-marie-johnson-discusses-her-journey-to-freedom-in-new-memoir.
  8. ↑ Harper's Bazaar, "Who Is Alice Marie Johnson? Kim Kardashian Meets Donald Trump About Prison Reform," 2018, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a20968667/who-is-alice-marie-johnson-kim-kardashian-prison-reform/.
  9. ↑ NPR, "Woman Released After Trump Commutes Life Sentence For Nonviolent Drug Offense," June 6, 2018, https://www.npr.org/2018/06/06/617513060/president-trump-commutes-sentence-of-grandmother-serving-life-in-prison.
  10. ↑ CNN, "Trump grants Alice Johnson a full pardon," August 28, 2020, https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/28/politics/donald-trump-alice-johnson-pardon/index.html.
  11. ↑ Taking Action for Good, "Our Mission," https://takingactionforgood.org/our-mission/.
  12. ↑ Council on Criminal Justice, "Alice Marie Johnson," https://counciloncj.org/ccj-directory/alice-marie-johnson/.
  13. ↑ Fox News, "Trump appoints Alice Marie Johnson 'pardon czar' during Black History Month event at White House," February 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-appoints-alice-marie-johnson-pardon-czar-black-history-month-event-white-house.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Taking Action for Good, https://takingactionforgood.org/.
  15. ↑ Action News 5, "Mid-South native Alice Marie Johnson appointed as Pres. Trump's Pardon Czar," February 24, 2025, https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/02/24/mid-south-native-alice-marie-johnson-appointed-pres-trumps-pardon-czar/.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Newsweek, "Who is Alice Johnson? Trump's new 'pardon czar'," February 24, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/who-alice-johnson-trump-pardon-czar-2035375.
  17. ↑ Alice Marie Johnson (@AliceMarieFree), X post, February 21, 2025, https://x.com/AliceMarieFree/status/1892962653141696900.
  18. ↑ Yahoo News, "Van Jones praises Trump for 'very good' choice with new pardon czar pick," February 26, 2025, https://www.yahoo.com/news/van-jones-praises-trump-very-210012848.html.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Capital B News, "Trump Names Alice Marie Johnson as the Nation's First 'Pardon Czar,'" February 28, 2025, https://capitalbnews.org/trump-alice-marie-johnson-pardon-czar/.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Fox News, "Trump 'pardon czar' Alice Marie Johnson outlines priorities for new role," February 24, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/media/trumps-newly-appointed-pardon-czar-outlines-specific-marching-orders-role.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Legal Information Services Associates, "Pardon News Continues Unabated – Update for May 20, 2025," May 20, 2025, https://lisa-legalinfo.com/2025/05/20/pardon-news-continues-unabated-update-for-may-20-2025/.
  22. ↑ Prison Legal News, "Former Prisoner Appointed President's Pardon 'Czar,'" May 1, 2025, https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2025/may/1/former-prisoner-appointed-presidents-pardon-czar/.
  23. ↑ Alice Marie Johnson (@AliceMarieFree), X post, May 28, 2025, https://x.com/AliceMarieFree/status/1927872266601165291.
  24. ↑ The Hill, "Trump gives clemency to more than 20 people, including political allies," May 29, 2025, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5323686-trump-clemency-chrisley-hoover-rowland-grimm/.
  25. ↑ Variety, "Carlos Watson Says Trump Has Commuted His Prison Sentence for Ozy Media Fraud," March 28, 2025, https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/carlos-watson-trump-commute-prison-sentence-ozy-media-fraud-1236351619/.
  26. ↑ CNN, "Todd and Julie Chrisley can thank their daughter Savannah Chrisley and advocate Alice Johnson for their pardons," May 28, 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/28/entertainment/todd-julie-chrisley-savannah-chrisley-alice-johnson.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 TheGrio, "Alice Johnson, Trump's pardon czar, seen by some as Black political 'token' amid controversial pardons," May 29, 2025, https://thegrio.com/2025/05/29/alice-johnson-trump-pardon-czar-black-political-token/.
  28. ↑ TheGrio, "President Trump commutes sentence of Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover," May 28, 2025, https://thegrio.com/2025/05/28/president-trump-commutes-sentence-of-chicago-gang-leader-larry-hoover/.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 TMZ, "'Pardon Czar' Alice Marie Johnson Hopes Illinois Gov Will Release Larry Hoover," May 29, 2025, https://www.tmz.com/2025/05/29/alice-marie-johnson-larry-hoover-presidential-commutation-illinois-governor-sentence/.
  30. ↑ Deseret News, "Here's who Trump pardoned this week," May 30, 2025, https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/30/heres-who-trump-pardoned-this-week/.
  31. ↑ CBS News, "How President Trump is changing the pardon process, according to former pardon attorney," 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-trump-is-changing-pardon-process-according-to-former-pardon-attorney-60-minutes/.
  32. ↑ U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, https://www.justice.gov/pardon.
  33. ↑ Taking Action for Good, Contact page, https://takingactionforgood.org/contact/.
  34. ↑ Alice Marie Johnson on X, https://x.com/AliceMarieFree.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 ProPublica, "How Trump Has Exploited Pardons and Clemency to Reward Allies and Supporters," 2025, https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-pardons-clemency-george-santos-ed-martin.


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