At a Glance
- President Donald Trump commuted James Phillip Womack’s eight-year federal sentence on January 15.
- Womack, son of Rep. Steve Womack, was convicted of distributing more than five grams of methamphetamine.
- The commutation leaves five years of supervised release intact.
- Why it matters: The move frees a lawmaker’s son while the administration touts tough-on-drugs policies.
President Donald Trump has commuted the federal prison sentence of James Phillip Womack, the son of Arkansas Republican Rep. Steve Womack, after an eight-year term for methamphetamine distribution.
The Clemency Decision
The Office of the Pardon Attorney announced the commutation on January 15. An Executive Grant of Clemency issued by the U.S. Department of Justice formalized the decision. Womack had received the sentence in May 2024, along with a $1,900 fine, for distributing more than five grams of meth.
Rep. Womack thanked Trump in a statement provided to Arkansas outlets KTHV and KNWA.
> “I am grateful to President Trump for this gracious and thoughtful action,” the congressman said. “The commutation has allowed my son to be with his family during a profoundly difficult time, and the President’s phone conversation with my wife and her care team made an impression that I’ll cherish forever.”
Although the prison term is erased, five years of supervised release remain.
Prior Charges and Arrests
Federal prosecutors indicted James in April 2023. In addition to the meth charge, the indictment included possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Court documents cited by KTHV show prior arrests dating back to 2007. In 2018, he faced more than 10 charges, many drug- and firearm-related. He entered a plea agreement and received a nine-year state sentence, securing early release in 2020 before another arrest.
Family Response to Addiction
After the 2018 arrest, Rep. Womack issued a public statement acknowledging his son’s struggle.
> “Like so many families across this nation, our family has been dealing with a loved one’s addiction,” he said. “The most recent arrest of our son adds to that pain. We love him unconditionally; however, as an adult, he is accountable for the choices he’s made.”
He continued, “Nothing is more devastating than to see a loved one struggle with addiction. It is the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, and I know we are not alone. Addiction is eating away at the soul of our country. This is a very difficult time for our family – we ask simply for your prayers.”
Broader Policy Context
The commutation follows recent administration messaging. The White House justified weighing action against Venezuela by claiming the Venezuelan government participates in drug trafficking. Separately, the Department of Homeland Security has highlighted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in Minnesota and elsewhere involve individuals tied to drug trafficking.
Rep. Womack has served Arkansas’s 3rd congressional district since 2011. He and his wife, Terri, have three sons, according to his congressional biography.
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s clemency spares James Womack from an eight-year federal sentence.
- Supervised release and the $1,900 fine are unaffected.
- The congressman publicly thanked Trump and emphasized his wife’s medical situation.
- Past court records show multiple drug and firearm offenses spanning more than a decade.
- The action contrasts with the administration’s public emphasis on combating drug trafficking.
