Black Pardons & Racial Bias in Sentencing
- President Trump's recent pardons, including figures like rapper NBA YoungBoy, have drawn attention.
- Johnson, who herself was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after serving over 20 years for involvement in a cocaine operation, appears to be a key figure.
- NBA YoungBoy, who had faced gun charges, publicly thanked Johnson after his pardon.
Trump’s Pardons and Alice Marie Johnson’s Influence on Black Voters
Updated May 30, 2025
President Trump’s recent pardons, including figures like rapper NBA YoungBoy, have drawn attention. These actions highlight the role of Alice Marie Johnson, a former pardon recipient, and her potential influence on Black voters.
Johnson, who herself was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after serving over 20 years for involvement in a cocaine operation, appears to be a key figure. Following her release, championed by figures like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Johnson has been seen with Black entertainers, potentially bridging pardons with Trump’s appeal to Black voters.
NBA YoungBoy, who had faced gun charges, publicly thanked Johnson after his pardon. Larry Hoover, founder of the Gangster Disciples gang, also had his sentence commuted.
Critics argue that these pardons occur against a backdrop of policies that disproportionately affect Black communities. These include the elimination of civil rights departments and the militarization of police forces.
The situation has been described as a “bizarre sleight of hand,” where individual pardons contrast with broader policies that may lead to increased incarceration rates among Black individuals.
What’s next
The long-term impact of these pardons on Trump’s standing with Black voters remains to be seen, as does the future of criminal justice reform initiatives under his administration.