Bureau of Prisons No. 2 official who was pardoned for drug crimes departs
Josh Smith had a tense relationship with BOP's employees, and some staffers had raised questions about contracts awarded during his year-long tenure.
August 25, 2026 / 7:18 PM EDT / CBS News
In a post from his personal X account, Smith thanked President Trump for the chance to serve in his administration as BOP's deputy director, an opportunity that arose in 2025 after Mr. Trump pardoned him for drug-related crimes in 2021.
"Three decades ago, I walked through the gates of a federal prison as an inmate. Years later, after receiving a presidential pardon, I was given the opportunity to walk back through those gates as Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, serving the very President that gave me that pardon. For that, I will always be grateful to President Donald J. Trump," Smith wrote.
In a short note to BOP staff on Tuesday morning, director William Marshall formally announced Smith was leaving.
A BOP spokesperson confirmed his departure but offered no additional details.