President Donald Trump may appoint one of those whom his clemency actions affected to serve as “pardon czar”, responsible for handling future clemency actions.
Trump recently reported his intention of assigning Alice Marie Johnson the position of White House pardon official.
While details surrounding the role are currently uncertain and reports regarding Johnson being selected remain unverified by the administration, she received an executive commutation during Trump’s last term and later received his pardon in 2020 for cocaine trafficking charges against her.
Since his election as governor of Georgia in 2015, Johnson has become an outspoken proponent for criminal justice reform. We reached out to the White House for comment regarding these potential appointment plans; however, an appropriate representative could not immediately be located for comment.
Alice Johnson has long championed second chances and her own story is proof of redemption’, said Weldon Angelos a presidential clemency recipient under Trump who later founded criminal justice non-profit The Weldon Project and told MEDCAN24.
“Should she be appointed pardon czar, she will bring compassion, experience and a keen grasp of justice to the role. She understands the urgency of clemency and will work towards making sure more deserving individuals reunited with their families,” said Homan. The creation of such an office signaled commitment towards rectifying injustices within criminal justice systems as well as fair application of mercy – something Homan believes the position signifies.
Amazing news: My friend @AliceMarieFree could become part of a Trump Administration pardon czar team – this could be game changing in terms of justice reform and second chances! For more details please follow this link :https://t.co/aHH43c1Fkj
–Weldon Angelos (@weldon_angelos) on February 19th 2025.
Trump faced backlash when, in 2023, it became evident that his plan to implement a death penalty on people who sell drugs could potentially have had serious repercussions for Johnson; whom his administration had highlighted as one of its achievements during its first term as part of criminal justice reform efforts.
Reports of Trump’s intended appointment of a pardon czar come against a backdrop of cabinet nominations and Senate confirmation of administration officials with mixed records on drug policy reform, whom advocates and stakeholders alike have closely been watching to see whether Trump push for any significant marijuana policy reform changes.
As recently reported by Prohibitionist News Service (PHNS), President Trump nominated an anti-cannabis official as lead attorney at U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), drawing praise from prohibitionists.
Although HHS under the Biden administration had recommended rescheduling cannabis after conducting a scientific analysis, that process has since been put on hold, raising questions over potential influences of new administrative appointees.
HHS’ general counsel is responsible for providing legal advice, interpreting regulatory policies and overseeing litigation pertaining to HHS; so if Stuart is approved by the Senate he could play an instrumental role in future interpretations of Controlled Substances Act requirements pertaining to marijuana’s scheduling status.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, recently confirmed by the Senate as HHS Secretary was vocal in his support of legalization of marijuana use.
Kennedy expressed support for legalization prior to being confirmed, yet subsequent to that confirmation he expressed concerns over its normalization; noting how high-potency marijuana use may have “catastrophic impacts” on individuals but adding that state legalization provides opportunities for studying both its harms and benefits.
These comments came on the same day Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) reported receiving an assurance from Sen. Ted Kennedy (D) to “follow science on marijuana’s harms”.
Ricketts had already revealed last week that he spoke with Robert Kennedy regarding “preventing the expansion of marijuana”. Now he says “RFK committed to me that he would follow science on its harmful impacts in regards to this substance”.
Sen. Lankford also filed legislation this past week that seeks to prohibit marijuana industry tax deductions even for companies rescheduling operations.
Last month, Kennedy disavowed any advocacy of cannabis legalization during his time advocating it as Attorney General but stated he will defer to the Drug Enforcement Agency on rescheduling matters related to cannabis reschedules in his new role as AG.
Last week, President Donald Trump officially introduced his choice for Director of Drug Enforcement Agency–selecting an experienced Virginia official with decades-long agency tenure who’s spoken out against marijuana use among youth due to increased suicide risks associated with its consumption. That could make rescheduling even harder.
Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland recently told MEDCAN24 that now was “definitely” time to have a conversation with Kennedy to convince him of marijuana’s harms, as the best way to ensure Americans remain healthy would be limiting its usage.
Before Kennedy submitted written responses to members of the Senate Finance Committee who gave him initial approval, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) requested him to clarify his stance regarding marijuana legalization amidst efforts underway to federally reschedule cannabis.
An independent political action committee run by former Vice President Mike Pence had attempted to undermine John Kennedy’s confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary by drawing attention to his support of marijuana legalization as well as substance misuse issues he himself has experienced in his past.
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