Alice Marie Johnson has officially stepped into a powerful new role under President Trump as the nation’s first-ever “pardon czar,” tasked with reforming the federal clemency process and giving a voice to those unjustly imprisoned.
Once serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense, Johnson was granted clemency by Trump in 2018. Now, she is leading efforts to identify and advocate for individuals who have demonstrated genuine rehabilitation but remain behind bars under outdated or overly harsh sentencing laws.
Johnson has made it clear that her mission goes beyond paperwork. She aims to expose what she calls systemic flaws that trap nonviolent offenders in a cycle of punishment rather than offering paths to redemption. Her goal is to reshape how mercy is applied at the highest levels of government.
Backed by her own life experience, Johnson plans to work closely with legal experts, faith leaders, and community advocates to evaluate clemency cases and champion second chances for those who deserve them.
Her new post marks a major shift in the Trump administration’s justice reform efforts, positioning Johnson not only as a symbol of redemption but also as a force for change within a system she once endured.