Jack Johnson Pardon Appears Unlikely
Johnson, who died in 1946, was an outspoken opponent of segregation. He served ten months in prison for violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to cross state lines with a woman for "immoral purposes."
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) championed a resolution earlier this year seeking a pardon of Johnson. It passed both houses of Congress but the Justice Department rejected the effort earlier this month, saying that the department does not traditionally pardon the deceased.
In its response, Justice said it prefers to focus its pardon resources on people "who can truly benefit" from them.
Last week, the lawmakers wrote a letter to President Obama saying they were "sorely disappointed" in the decision and further pressing the case. They asked the president to break with the Justice Department, as is his right, and "concur with Congress and swiftly issue a posthumous pardon for Mr. Johnson."
Asked about pardoning Johnson today, Gibbs suggested the White House was following the Justice Department recommendation.
"In terms of Jack Johnson, I think the Department of Justice came back recommending -- not recommending a pardon on that," he said.
Johnson became the first black heavyweight boxing champion in 1908, a century before Mr. Obama became the first black president.