The move would be a departure from the position of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who said, "Good people don't smoke marijuana" in his confirmation hearing.
For President Trump, the pardon seems to have become the ultimate symbol of presidential power. He says he's considering one for the late boxer, though Ali's attorney says it's not necessary.
Alice Marie Johnson was released hours after the president issued the order. She was in prison for more than 20 years for a first-time drug conviction. Kim Kardashian West had pushed for her release.
The party's chances of taking back the House were helped, especially with apparent results in California. That, plus four other takeaways from Tuesday night's elections in eight states.
The dominant storylines from the 2018 primaries so far have been that women have dominated and the president has had his own relative success — and a big impact on GOP congressional candidates.
Trump has issued four pardons in his first 16 months as president — including one this week of boxer Jack Johnson — outpacing his three most recent predecessors.
"You have to stand, proudly, for the national anthem or you shouldn't be playing," Trump told Fox News, "you shouldn't be there, maybe you shouldn't be in the country."
President Trump addressed an anti-abortion rights group on the same day his administration unveiled a proposal to block groups like Planned Parenthood from receiving Title X funds.