Donald Trump Orders Prison Release of GOP Congressman's Son, Who Got 8 Years for Distributing Meth By Bailey Richards

President Donald Trump has granted clemency to a Republican congressman’s son, who was behind bars for distributing methamphetamine.

Trump, 79, officially commuted the federal sentence of James Phillip Womack, the son of Rep. Steve Womack, on Thursday, Jan. 15, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney. An official Executive Grant of Clemency issued by the U.S. Department of Justice formally announced the commutation of the Arkansas congressman’s son.

The Republican politician — a father to three sons with his wife, Terri, per his Congress bio — expressed gratitude to Trump in a statement obtained by 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.”

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 Office of the Pardon Attorney records.

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His sentence also included five years of supervised release, which he will still have to serve, per KTHV, KNWA and KATV.

Federal prosecutors indicted James in April 2023, according to court documents viewed by PEOPLE. Outside of distributing more than five grams of methamphetamine, the indictment also charged him with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

James’ clemency comes after the Trump administration justified the U.S invasion of Venezuela, in part, by claiming that the Venezuelan government is involved in drug trafficking. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security has said that many of the arrests being carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) involve drug traffickers.

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.

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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. 

“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.”