Current:Home > MarketsKim Kardashian joins VP Harris to discuss criminal justice reform -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Kim Kardashian joins VP Harris to discuss criminal justice reform
View
Date:2025-04-28 05:35:18
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kim Kardashian marshaled her celebrity in one administration to spotlight criminal justice reform — and she’s doing it again in the next.
The reality TV star and entrepreneur joined Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday for a roundtable highlighting the administration’s efforts on criminal justice reform and how President Joe Biden has used his clemency powers, particularly on those convicted of non-violent drug offenses who faced significantly longer sentences than they would under current laws.
Kardashian was a regular presence at the White House during the Trump administration after striking up a partnership with the then-president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who had taken on criminal justice issues as part of his portfolio, and leveraging her celebrity to help secure clemency for those she felt were unjustly imprisoned.
The Biden White House invited four people pardoned earlier this week by the president, who granted clemency to 16 people who had committed such crimes, for a roundtable with Harris and Kardashian.
Harris, a former prosecutor, told the group that she is a “big believer in the power of redemption.”
“It’s an age-old concept that transcends religions but is fundamentally about an understanding that everybody makes mistakes, and for some, that might rise to the level of it being a crime,” Harris said. “But is it not the sign of a civil society that we allow people a way to earn their way back, and give them the support and resources they need to do that?”
Those who sat down alongside Harris, Kardashian and Steve Benjamin, the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, included Jason Hernandez, Bobby Lowery, Jesse Mosley and Beverly Robinson, who all received presidential pardons earlier this week. They spoke of successful careers — such as running nonprofits and practicing real estate — and how they were overcome with emotion when finding out about their pardons earlier this week.
Mosley spoke of new opportunities being opened to him with his pardon, such as being able to apply for a government job, and said he was filled with “overwhelming gratitude.”
“I am super honored to be here to hear your stories today,” Kardashian told the group. “I think it’s so important to amplify them.”
The reality TV star lobbied Trump to commute the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, who spent more than 20 years in prison for drug offenses. Johnson was released in June 2018 and later, in August 2020, received a full pardon from Trump and had her rights restored.
But in recent times, it appears the once-beneficial relationship between Trump and Kardashian has frayed.
Trump, in a post on his social media site last November, had derided Kardashian as the “World’s most overrated celebrity” based on anecdotes in a just-released book from ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl.
“I don’t think he likes me very much. But I’m OK,” Kardashian said during an interview with late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel earlier this week. “I think he did amazing stuff with prison reform and let a lot of people out, and signed an amazing bill — the First Step Act — and so that’s what I’ll focus on.”
The White House says Biden has commuted sentences for 122 people and granted pardons for 20 individuals who had been convicted of non-violent drug offenses so far in his presidency. He has also issued a sweeping pardon for those convicted of simple possession of marijuana, a proclamation that the White House says covers tens of thousands of people.
Unlike Biden, Trump often skirted the traditional processes run by the Justice Department when considering presidential pardons and clemency actions, instead impulsively acting on recommendations from friends or celebrities, as well as conservative media.
veryGood! (345)
Related
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Young ski jumpers take flight at country’s oldest ski club in New Hampshire
- Kelce scores twice and Chiefs beat Bills 27-24 to advance to face Ravens in AFC championship
- Ron DeSantis drops out of 2024 Republican presidential race, endorses Trump ahead of New Hampshire primary
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Landslide in mountainous southwestern China buries 44 people
- Packers vs. 49ers highlights: Brock Purdy comes through with late rally
- The Doobie Brothers promise 'a show to remember' for 2024 tour: How to get tickets
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Former firefighter accused of planting explosives near California roadways pleads not guilty
Ranking
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Across Germany, anti-far right protests draw hundreds of thousands - in Munich, too many for safety
- Alabama readies never-before-used execution method that some veterinarians won't even use for pets
- Missouri teacher accused of trying to poison husband with lily of the valley in smoothie
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Poland’s prime minister visits Ukraine in latest show of foreign support for the war against Russia
- Michelle Trachtenberg Responds to Fans' Concerns Over Her Appearance
- Police officer in Wilbraham, Mass., seriously injured in shooting; suspect in custody
Recommendation
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
A temple to one of Hinduism’s holiest deities is opening in Ayodhya, India. Here’s what it means
Police say 4 killed in suburban Chicago ‘domestic related’ shooting, suspect is in custody
11-month-old baby boy burned to death from steam of radiator in Brooklyn apartment: NYPD
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Who is Joey Graziadei? What to know about the leading man of 'The Bachelor' Season 28
Milan keeper Maignan wants stronger action after racist abuse. FIFA president eyes tougher sanctions
National Cheese Lover's Day: How to get Arby's deal, enter Wisconsin cheese dreams contest