We have all made mistakes. We have all found ourselves, for whatever reason, in the wrong place at the wrong time. All Americans want justice for those who have committed serious crimes, and, as the old saying goes, they must "do the time." But what happens when circumstances come together to create the perfect storm, and you find yourself facing life in prison? That's what happened to Alice Marie Johnson. However, thanks to President Donald Trump, Alice received a second chance at life, and now, a new position in the White House as part of that chance.
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. I am thankful… pic.twitter.com/Q0b9NrtXpu
— Alice Marie Johnson (@AliceMarieFree) February 21, 2025
I am thankful for the support of my family and all those who have worked tirelessly to bring about this moment, and I am committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those seeking a fresh start.
That perfect storm came for Alice Marie Johnson in 1996 when financial trouble, her son's death, and a divorce led her to become involved with cocaine dealers in Memphis. She didn't sell drugs; she passed messages and money among them. She was arrested when the drug ring was apprehended and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. In 2018, Trump commuted her sentence, and in 2020, she received a full pardon.
Now, Alice Marie Johnson has come full circle. In February, Trump appointed her his Pardon Czar. She appeared with Lara Trump on her Fox News Channel show, "My View," on Saturday. She talked about what she would like to do in her new role. The main focus for Johnson will be to identify those who are best qualified to receive pardons and assess their readiness to rejoin society. Johnson's incredible story even amazes her. She said, "It's just incredible to me that my life would take a full-circle journey. Seven years ago, I was sitting in a prison cell…"
The president's daughter-in-law started by asking Johnson:
"What does a Pardon Czar do, and how do you determine the people who you then take to the President and say, 'maybe you should consider a pardon for this person.'"
Johnson replied:
"It's really easy for me because I've lived it, so the president has entrusted me with this mission, to help and find those people who deserve a second chance, who are similarly situated. Not just like me, but who have served enough time, who have paid their debt to society. Plus, there are those who have been, I'm going to say, victims of lawfare, the same way our President was."
Alice Marie Johnson, a 69-yr old grandmother, had her life sentence for a nonviolent drug trafficking offense commuted by Trump in 2018 after serving 21 years. Trump made her Pardon Czar Feb.2025.
— Girl patriot (@Girlpatriot1974) May 19, 2020
"I had appealed to President Obama 3 times and had been turned down all 3 times." pic.twitter.com/WY3ohaxIfi
In addition to finding those people who deserve a second chance, Johnson wants part of her job to be to push for possibly outdated and antiquated laws that need to be changed. She also pointed out the fact that many people who don't have the money to navigate through the justice system are often caught in it, saying:
"There are laws that have to be changed because, even in my position, I'm not going to be able to find everyone. I am going to find as many as I possibly can find, but I'm also going to be advocating [for change] and looking at the things that are out there, on the books, that need to be changed, but to also do what the president has entrusted me to do, and let's find those individuals who need their second chance, those individuals who had lost hope in a system that was totally corrupt."
Also Read: Feel-Good Friday: Senior Citizen Pro-Life Activist Pardoned by Trump Joins the March for Life in DC
She added, "We now know it's not about how much money you have. If you have a corrupt system in place, there is no one safe." Johnson said she feels like she represents hope for those who may be in the same situation, and that "they will not be defined by the worst thing they have done in their lives." Lara Trump asked Johnson, "Would your story have been possible in any other country?"
Without hesitation, Johnson replied, "No, absolutely not. Only someone like President Trump could make my story possible."
Alice Marie Johnson summed up her life story with an undeniable truth: "I represent what America is all about: second chances..."
I think Alice Marie Johnson could be a powerful force for change in this role. She’s been through the system firsthand, and her dedication to justice reform could bring real change to how pardons are handled
— David (@LiveLifeCountr1) May 18, 2025
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