Trump Names Alice Johnson Pardon Czar

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President Trump has announced that Alice Johnson, a 69-year-old grandmother he granted clemency to in 2018, will serve as his new "pardon czar." Johnson, who spent over 21 years in prison for nonviolent drug-related crimes, will be responsible for reviewing and recommending pardons for those who may have been victims of injustice. The president made the announcement during a Black History Month event at the White House, stating that Johnson will "find people just like you that this should not have happened" and make recommendations for pardons.

Johnson's appointment as pardon czar comes after she was granted clemency by President Trump in 2018. She had been sentenced to life plus 25 years in prison for her involvement in a multi-million-dollar drug ring, but was released after serving over 20 years. Celebrity Kim Kardashian played a pivotal role in bringing Johnson's case to the president's attention. Since her release, Johnson has become an advocate for criminal justice reform and has worked to help others who may have been wrongly convicted or sentenced.

As pardon czar, Johnson will have the opportunity to review cases and make recommendations to the president for pardons. This move is seen as part of President Trump's efforts to address systemic injustices in the criminal justice system. The president has already pardoned hundreds of individuals, including those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault, and has expressed his commitment to restorative justice. Johnson's appointment is expected to further this effort, and her personal experience with the criminal justice system is seen as an asset in her new role.

The announcement of Johnson's appointment as pardon czar has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised the move, citing Johnson's unique perspective and experience, while others have expressed concerns about the potential for abuse of power. The Justice Department's pardon office typically vets pardon requests for the president to consider, but President Trump has often made his own pardon choices. Johnson's appointment is seen as a way to bring a more personal touch to the pardon process, and to ensure that those who may have been wrongly convicted or sentenced are given a second chance.

Here are some key points to consider regarding President Trump's pardon policy and Alice Johnson's appointment as pardon czar: * President Trump has pardoned hundreds of individuals, including those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault * Alice Johnson was granted clemency by President Trump in 2018 after serving over 20 years in prison for nonviolent drug-related crimes * Johnson will review cases and make recommendations to the president for pardons as part of her role as pardon czar * The move is seen as part of President Trump's efforts to address systemic injustices in the criminal justice system * Johnson's appointment has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the move and others expressing concerns about the potential for abuse of power