Kim Kardashian West appears to have made an impression on President Trump after visiting the White House this week with a plea for her friend, who was serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense. Just a few days after his meeting with Kardashian, Trump announced he is commuting Alice Johnson's sentence.
"Ms. Johnson has accepted responsibility for her past behavior and has been a model prisoner over the past two decades," the White House said in a statement Wednesday. "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."
Johnson, a 63-year-old great-grandmother, has been serving her sentence in federal prison in Aliceville, Alabama since 1996 for her first time offense. Kardashian was moved by Johnson's story and asked for her release during a meeting with the president.
Great meeting with @KimKardashian today, talked about prison reform and sentencing. pic.twitter.com/uOy4UJ41JF
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2018
Kardashian also spoke with White House advisor and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner during her visit, because he has been appointed the lead on the administration's prison reform efforts.
Kardashian was elated to hear that their meeting produced the result she wanted.
BEST NEWS EVER!!!! ???????????? https://t.co/JUbpbE1Bk0
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 6, 2018
She later personally thanked President Trump and Kushner.
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
In addition to granting Johnson clemency, Trump recently pardoned conservative author Dinesh D'Souza, and is considering pardoning Martha Stewart and former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is currently serving time for felony corruption charges.