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:Â President Trump commuted Alice Marie Johnson after Kim Kardashian meeting
BEST NEWS EVER!!!! ?????? https://t.co/JUbpbE1Bk0
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 6, 2018
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.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 6, 2018
Apparently, Kardashian was given the honor of telling Johnson that she was being released.
Shawn Holley’s statement on release of Alice Johnson. @KimKardashian told Alice she was being released pic.twitter.com/JBZ7AhT0p3
— Anastasia (@AnastasiaElyseW) June 6, 2018
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.
Trump’s pardon of Alice Johnson has less to do with her plight (or caring about people caught up in the hell of mandatory minimums, because he’s totally fine with those), and more to do with wanting to please his famous associates.
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) June 6, 2018
DON’T FORGET: Though Trump has apparently intervened on Alice Johnson’s behalf, his DOJ has taken steps to ensure more people like her will be imprisoned on drug charges. He’s even suggested the death penalty for dealers (that would’ve included Johnson) https://t.co/2uP0VB9Qfs
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) June 6, 2018
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.
Obama could have and should have freed Alice Johnson. He had her application for mercy on his desk. He chose not to. You should all know this.
— #Prisonculture (@prisonculture) June 6, 2018
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
Obama commuted 1,715 people and pardoned 212. But yeah go ahead and tell me about how disappointed you are in him as you take the bait and use Trump’s commutation of Mary Alice Johnson as a launching pad to criticize Obama. https://t.co/VsZPoHYe7Q pic.twitter.com/L495AicxbI
— Hercules Mulligan (@johnvmoore) 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.
The Alice Johnson pardon is fantastic news… full stop…. but it is also a bit terrifying that a celeb like Kim Kardashian can suck up to Trump and instantly get results. America, presented by E!
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) June 6, 2018
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
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.
