President Trump Grants Clemency To GOP Congressman’s Son

President Trump granted clemency to Rep. Steve Womack’s (R-AR) son, James Phillip Womack.

The congressman’s son was serving an eight-year federal prison sentence for distributing methamphetamine.

WOMACK SENTENCE COMMUTED: President Donald Trump has granted clemency to James Phillip Womack, the son of Arkansas Republican Rep. Steve Womack, commuting the remainder of his federal prison sentence for drug distribution. MORE: https://t.co/RhJYnqpIGZ pic.twitter.com/V93tyRWiJf

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 19, 2026

USA TODAY has more:

A White House official told USA TODAY that coupled with James Womack’s record of good behavior in prison, the family has had several recent health issues, including his mother being diagnosed with abdominal cancer and his brother suffering from a seizure disorder and having difficulty living by himself.

The congressman’s son was sentenced in federal court in May 2024 to a $1,900 fine and eight years in prison for distributing more than five grams of methamphetamine, according to court records. He had been arrested multiple times on drug charges before.

The commutation still requires Womack to serve five years of supervised release.

The congressman didn’t immediately respond to a USA TODAY request for comment. He expressed gratitude to Trump in statements to Arkansas television stations KTHV and KNWA.

“I am grateful to President Trump for this gracious and thoughtful action. 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,” the statement read, according to the outlet.

Arkansas Democrat Gazette: President Donald Trump has commuted the federal sentence of the son of US Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR)

James Phillip Womack was sentenced in federal court in May 2024 to eight years in prison for distributing more than 5 grams of methamphetamine.

Link to… pic.twitter.com/HyKqcIW5Ey

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PEOPLE shared further info:

James has a history of arrests dating back to 2007, KTHV reported, citing court documents.

He was arrested in 2018 on more than 10 charges, including multiple related to drugs and firearms, and later entered a plea agreement in the case, according to KTHV and KNWA. He was sentenced in state court to nine years behind bars for multiple felony charges and released early in 2020, but was later arrested again, according to KNWA.

Following James’s 2018 arrest, his father — who has served as the U.S. representative for Arkansas’s 3rd congressional district since 2011 — shared a statement about his son’s addiction.

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“Like so many families across this nation, our family has been dealing with a loved one’s addiction,” Steve said in the statement obtained by KTHV. “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.”

The congressman continued, “We honor and respect the criminal justice system that will decide his fate. I truly regret that he has put himself and his family in this difficult situation.”

“Nothing is more devastating than to see a loved one struggle with addiction,” Steve said. “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.”

Read the Executive Grant of Clemency below:

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