Alice Marie Johnson Highlights Differences Between Trump and Biden Commutations
Alice Marie Johnson, recently appointed as a "pardon czar" by former President Donald Trump, has shed light on the contrasting approaches taken by Trump and President Joe Biden regarding the commutation of prison sentences. In a recent interview, Johnson emphasized that while Biden has commuted a significant number of sentences, the practical impact on restoring families remains limited, unlike Trump’s actions, which she believes led to genuine family reunification.
During an interview on Fox News, Johnson stated, "Unlike some of the sentences that President Biden received a lot of credit for, is that he commuted all of these sentences, but most of these people are still in prison. He reduced them, but he didn’t really restore any families." She contrasted this with Trump’s approach, saying, "President Trump commuted sentences and families were restored."
Johnson’s perspective is particularly significant given her personal experience. She was previously serving a life sentence for nonviolent drug trafficking and received a commutation from Trump in 2018 after spending 21 years in prison. This experience fuels her conviction that commutations should prioritize restoring individuals to their families and communities.
As the newly appointed pardon czar, Johnson outlined her specific focus, stating, "I look for those who are still in prison, and some of those, their cases are so absolutely terrible that those laws are not even in effect anymore — I think those individuals would be worthy of a pardon." She also emphasized the importance of considering the post-release behavior of those seeking pardons, saying, "And then you have people who have made good use of their freedom, and I’ve had so many who have been such a pillar in their communities."
Johnson added, "There are going to be those who are seeking pardons, and we’ll look at what they’ve done with their second chance of freedom." This suggests a focus on individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation and community involvement after being released from prison.
While both Trump and Biden have utilized their power to grant clemency, their approaches differ significantly. Biden’s commutations often involve reducing prison sentences, but the individuals remain incarcerated. Trump’s commutations, on the other hand, often led to immediate release and the reunification of families.
The article also highlights that former President Biden issued pardons to notable figures such as Gen. Mark Milley and Dr. Anthony Fauci before leaving office. This move was interpreted by some as an attempt to protect these individuals from potential investigations under a new Trump administration. Biden also commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 inmates, reducing their time spent in prison.
Trump, upon entering office, also issued commutations and pardons, including pardoning nearly all Jan. 6 defendants on Inauguration Day. This action reflects his stance on the events surrounding the Capitol riot.
The contrasting approaches to clemency reflect different philosophies regarding criminal justice reform. Biden’s actions seem to focus on incremental changes and addressing systemic issues, while Trump’s actions often prioritize individual cases and immediate relief. Johnson’s appointment as pardon czar suggests that Trump intends to continue focusing on individual stories and the restoration of families.
It is important to note that commutations and pardons are complex issues with far-reaching consequences. While they can provide relief to individuals and families, they also raise questions about fairness, accountability, and the role of the executive branch in the justice system.
Ultimately, the contrasting approaches of Trump and Biden regarding clemency reflect different priorities and philosophies. As Alice Marie Johnson takes on her role as pardon czar, her focus on restoring families and prioritizing individual cases will likely shape the landscape of pardons and commutations under a potential new Trump administration. The impact of these decisions will undoubtedly be felt by individuals, families, and communities across the nation.
