Never underestimate the power of Kim Kardashian's influence.
Last week, the 37-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians star traveled from Calabasas, Calif., to Washington, D.C., with the intent of persuading President Donald Trump to grant clemency to Alice Johnson,
a first-time nonviolent drug offender who had been given a life
sentence without parole. Trump forgave Alice Wednesday, a White House
spokesperson confirmed to E! News. Relieved, Kardashian tweeted,
"BEST NEWS EVER!!!!" Johnson will be released from federal prison in
Aliceville, Ala., where she has been serving her time since 1996.
Trump
posed for a photo with Kardashian in the Oval Office May 30 and later
shared it on Twitter, writing, "Great meeting with @KimKardashian today,
talked about prison reform and sentencing." White House senior adviser Jared Kushner had been talking to the E! reality star for several months about Johnson's case, and Kardashian hired her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley,
to act as her legal counsel. After Kardashian's trip ended, a source
told E! News, "She really wants to make a difference in people's lives
and left Washington feeling very inspired." In a Twitter statement,
Kardashian said, "I would like to thank President Trump for his time
this afternoon. It is our hope that the President will grant clemency to
Ms. Alice Marie Johnson who is serving a life sentence for a
first-time, non-violent drug offense. We are optimistic about Ms.
Johnson's future and hopeful that she—and so many like her—will get a
second chance at life."
After
her White House meeting, Kardashian joined Kushner and his family for
dinner at his home. She then flew to Jackson Hole, Wyo., to support Kanye West and his album's release.
The
White House issued a briefing about Trump's decision midday Wednesday.
"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," the briefing read. "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 [her] 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,'" the briefing
continued. "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." In an e-mail to Business Insider Wednesday morning, an
imprisoned Johnson wrote, "I'm still waiting to exhale! I'm hanging in
here and won't let go until I walk out of these doors!"
So, what does clemency mean for Johnson?
"A
pardon is full forgiveness. It absolves and restores all the rights and
privileges the person had before they were convicted. It's as if the
crime never happened. If not yet convicted, it stops any prosecution,"
legal expert Troy Slaten told E! News Wednesday. "A
commuted sentence usually means a lesser penalty or that a person is
relieved of any further punishment. If you're serving a sentence in jail
or prison, the sentence usually ends. But unlike a pardon, the
conviction remains. In the case of Alice Johnson, it means she will
likely be released very soon."
On Twitter Wednesday, Kardashian
thanked Kushner, Trump and everyone else who "contributed countless
hours to this important moment" for Johnson. "Her commutation is
inspirational and gives hope to so many others who are also deserving of
a second chance." Kardashian hopes "to continue this important work by
working together with organizations who have been fighting this fight
for much longer than I have and deserve the recognition."
Kardashian
first became aware of the case in 2017, after she watched a viral video
that featured Johnson sharing her story from prison. After her meeting
with Trump, Kardashian said she planned to become more involved in
causes like Johnson's. "It's definitely a bigger issue that has to be
addressed," the KKW Beauty founder told Mic. "I'm glad I'm starting with
her."
Johnson, who recently celebrated her 63rd birthday, was
convicted in the '90s for her involvement in a cocaine trafficking
operation. After her co-conspirators testified against her in court,
Johnson was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole
plus another 25 years.
Of course, proud mom Kris Jenner shared her joy on Instagram.
"This made me cry! Kim, I've never been so proud of you. You have the
biggest heart in the world and mixed with your determination you are
unstoppable!" she told her daughter. "@kimkardashian #proudmama."
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