Last week, Kim Kardashian met with Donald Trump to discuss criminal justice reform.
During the chat in the White House, she brought up the case of Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year-old grandmother who's been in Federal prison for over 20 years after getting a life sentence on her first drug conviction
Johnson concedes she did the crime.
βI made the biggest mistake of my life to make ends meet and got involved with people selling drugs,β Johnson told CNN. βThis was a road I never dreamed of venturing down. I became what is called a telephone mule, passing messages between the distributors and sellers. I participated in a drug conspiracy, and I was wrong." [The government argued she was more than just a mule.]
She's also been a model prisoner, writing plays and becoming an ordained minister. Given her behavior since her incarceration and the harshness of putting a life sentence on a first time non-violent offender, Johnson has accumulated many backers, including the Kardashian family.
Today, Trump commuted Johnson's sentence, meaning she will be free.
"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," the White House said.
Kim K was thrilled.
BEST NEWS EVER!!!! ππΌππΌππΌ https://t.co/JUbpbE1Bk0
β 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.
β Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 6, 2018
In the past, Trump has proposed straight up executing drug dealers.
Trump has proposed the death penalty for drug dealers, a la Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. Today, he commuted the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, who was serving life for conspiracy to sell cocaine
β Julie Davis (@juliehdavis) June 6, 2018
Perhaps, Trump has thought deeply about the subject and has changed his point of view about drug dealers being beyond rehabilitation. Or perhaps the Kardashian ass (and the power of celebrity) really can do magic.