Trump’s ‘pardon czar’ talks Chrisleys, providing a ‘second chance’

(NewsNation) — Before she was pardoned by President Donald Trump during his first term, Alice Johnson was behind bars for 20 years for drug-related offenses.

Now, Johnson spends her days as the White House’s “pardon czar,” overseeing and recommending clemency cases for the Trump administration.

A series of pardons issued Wednesday led to the release of “Chrisley Knows Best” reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, rapper NBA Youngboy, a labor union leader and others.

“I know not only their stories, but I make sure that I’m selecting people who have either been rehabilitated, who pose no safety risk, and also we look at cases where there has been obvious weaponization against these individuals,” Johnson told “NewsNation Now.”

Chrisleys will be criminal justice reform advocates: ‘Pardon czar’ Alice Johnson

“Chrisley Knows Best” cast members Chase Chrisley, from left, Savannah Crisley, Julie Crisley and Todd Chrisley attend the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2014 Upfront at the Javits Center on May 15, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Johnson said the Chrisleys, whose show aired on USA Network for nearly a decade, were not pardoned for their celebrity status.

“If you look at all, the list of people who were pardoned, these were everyday Americans who deserved a second chance,” Johnson said. “I’m going to say that if they did not have a daughter like Savannah who was out there fighting for them, they would not have been pardoned.”

Savannah Chrisley had publicly advocated for her parents’ release, arguing their sentences were excessive. She told a crowd at the 2024 Republican National Convention that they were the victims of a “two-faced justice system.”

“I know that everyone who’s in prison [wishes] they had an advocate like Savannah Chrisley,” Johnson said.

She said she believes Julie and Todd Chrisley will become staunch advocates for criminal justice reform, like their daughter.

“I talked to Todd yesterday in the vehicle while he was leaving prison, and that man was in tears, and we have a new advocate now,” Johnson said. “You can believe that this couple is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the criminal justice reform space.”

Earlier this week, Savannah Chrisley told NewsNation, “Alice Johnson was the greatest appointment that President Trump could have ever done.”

Advice for Chrisleys: ‘Enjoy your family for a moment’

Rather than leap into action upon their release, Johnson said she hopes the Chrisleys take the time to “soak in their freedom and their family time.”

“I know that they’re anxious to get out here and start fighting for the people who they left behind, too,” she said. “But don’t forget about your family time.”

Though she expects plenty of advocacy in the future, Johnson said she wished she had taken a break following her release.

“Take time to breathe and don’t get caught up in and being pulled in every different direction,” she said.