Wide praise, but uncertain plans, for Prez Trump’s new pardon czar
The Washington Post has this new piece spotlighting praise for Prez Trump’s recent announcement that Alice Marie Johnson will serve as his “pardon czar”(see prior posts here and here). Here are excerpts:
As a president known for governing on whims and holding mercurial — often hypocritical — beliefs, few of President Donald Trump’s policies are as loaded with contradictions as criminal justice. Trump, whose “tough on crime” stances include aggressive use of the death penalty and expanding “stop and frisk” tactics also in his first term signed the bipartisan First Step Act, which eased sentences.
But Trump’s often unpredictable policy moves most recently drew plaudits from advocates for prisoners and criminal defendants who warmly received the president’s announcement last week that he would tap someone from their orbit, Alice Marie Johnson, as his “pardon czar.”…
Civil rights and harm reduction advocates said Johnson is a welcome choice given her experience doing on-the-ground advocacy as someone who spent nearly 22 years in prison on a first-time offense. “We definitely see this as an exciting opportunity to see someone with lived experience shaping criminal-justice-reform policy,” said Daniel Landsman, the vice president of policy for Families Against Mandatory Minimums.
Landsman said that years ago someone with Johnson’s background would have been an unlikely choice for such a role. He also said Trump’s elevation of someone who has experienced the prison system is “a very good sign” that there is potential for more criminal justice reform during this administration. At the same time, Landsman said the administration’s full position on that issue is “still taking shape.”
Lisa Monet Wayne, the executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, similarly lauded Johnson’s selection, noting the group recognized Johnson in 2020 with its Champion of Justice Community Advocacy Award.
“This appointment holds exciting possibilities for a more equitable clemency process, driven by Ms. Johnson’s firsthand experience and deep understanding of the system’s flaws,” Wayne wrote in a message. “However, it’s important to acknowledge the limitations of this role. While she can undoubtedly influence and advocate, the ultimate power to grant clemency remains with the president.”
It remains unclear exactly what powers Johnson will have in the role of “czar” and whether she will work in conjunction with the Office of the Pardon Attorney — or without it, as Trump largely did in his first term.
Notably, in this recent LinkedIn post, DOJ’s Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer praised Johnson’s appointment and stated she “could not be more excited to collaborate with the Pardon Czar to deliver on the true promise of second chances through clemency.” Oyer, who served as a federal public defender for a decade before becoming the Pardon Attorney, seemed to bring great energy to DOJ’s Pardon Office. And Alice Marie Johnson always seems full of incredible energy (and this great interview today on Fox Business is just one example).
Still, as of now, it is unclear how clemency energy from the Pardon Attorney and the pardon czar will be operationalized into making clemency recommendations to Prez Trump, and it is even less clear how Prez Trump will respond to clemency recommendations. Accoring to this DOJ webpage, there are currently nearly 6,000 clemency application pending, and Johnson’s appointment seems sure to inspire many more applications. Six weeks into office, Prez Trump arleady has a remarkable clemency record; it will be fascinating to watch how it may continue to unfold.
Prior recent related posts: