Kim Kardashian took to Twitter to express her excitement about President Donald Trump commuting the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year-old grandmother who had already served 21 years of a life sentence for conspiracy to possess cocaine and attempted possession of cocaine. It was Johnson’s first offense.
Kardashian has been advocating for Johnson’s release and even hired high-powered attorney to the stars Shawn Holley to help with the case. Last week, Kardashian met with Trump to seek a pardon for the mother of five.
“Best news ever!” Kardashian tweeted with praying hands emojis in the wake of the pardon news. She continued in a second tweet, “So grateful to @realDonaldTrump, Jared Kushner & to everyone who has showed compassion & contributed countless hours to this important moment for Ms. Alice Marie Johnson. Her commutation is inspirational & gives hope to so many others who are also deserving of a second chance.”
READ MORE: President Trump commuted Alice Marie Johnson after Kim Kardashian meeting
Apparently, Kardashian was given the honor of telling Johnson that she was being released.
The Commutation in Context
While Kardashian embraced the news with unbridled enthusiasm, others cautioned to put the situation into context. Writer Britini Danielle also expressed joy that Johnson is going to be free, but noted that this reads more like a typical Trump publicity stunt more than an act of compassion. She also pointed out that though Trump has released Johnson, the policies he currently advocates would give people like Johnson the death penalty.
A Ding to Obama’s Legacy
Liberals and conservatives both noted that Barack Obama could have pardoned Johnson during his two terms, but chose not to do so. Still others reminded everyone that Obama granted acts of clemency to 1,715 people, so this one commutation by Trump does not undo Obama’s record or legacy.
President Trump just signed the pardon for Alice Johnson, who was given a life sentence for drug-related crimes, meanwhile rapists and murders get less time.
President Obama had the opportunity and refused to do so. Thank you, President Trump for doing the right thing.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) June 6, 2018
The Future of Celebrities in Politics
Some Twitter users were concerned about what Kim’s Kardashian’s influence means for the future and the intersection of celebrity culture and politics.
When you know that the Kardashian family are anti-black and use black culture/men for financial gain but Kim helped get Alice Johnson clemency pic.twitter.com/DolIsVBxcf
— Mohamed (@MoeSquare) June 6, 2018
READ MORE: 5 Things to know about Alice Marie Johnson, the Black woman whose sentence Trump commuted after Kim Kardashian meeting
White House Statement
The White house issued a statement on the commutation, which makes no mention of Kim Kardashian, but does note the support Johnson received from her case manager, warden, and vocation training instructor.
Full Statement:
Today, President Donald J. Trump granted a commutation to Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year-old great-grandmother who has served almost 22 years in Federal prison for a first-time criminal offense.
Ms. Johnson has accepted responsibility for her past behavior and has been a model prisoner over the past two decades. Despite receiving a life sentence, Alice worked hard to rehabilitate herself in prison, and act as a mentor to her fellow inmates. Her Warden, Case Manager, and Vocational Training Instructor have all written letters in support of her clemency. According to her Warden, Arcala Washington-Adduci, “since [Ms. Johnson’s] arrival at this institution, she has exhibited outstanding and exemplary work ethic. She is considered to be a model inmate who is willing to go above and beyond in all work tasks.”
While this Administration will always be very tough on crime, it believes that those who have paid their debt to society and worked hard to better themselves while in prison deserve a second chance.
