Kim Kardashian is set to join Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House for a roundtable discussion about pardons issued by President Joe Biden earlier this month. Kardashian has been involved in advocacy for criminal justice reform, previously meeting with former President Donald Trump to advocate for the commutation of Alice Marie Johnson’s life sentence in 2018. Her advocacy has been credited with influencing Trump’s actions on criminal justice reform, including the passage of the First Step Act in 2018. Kardashian’s visit to the White House also comes after Armenian Remembrance Day, with Biden being the first US president to recognize the Armenian genocide.
Kardashian’s meeting with Harris at the White House coincides with “Second Chance Month,” during which Biden has pledged to improve the criminal justice system to ensure that individuals returning from jail or prison have a fair shot at the American Dream. As part of Second Chance Month, Biden recently announced clemency actions for 16 nonviolent drug offenders, pardoning 11 people and commuting the sentences of five others. The individuals were recognized for their commitment to improving their lives and positively transforming their communities beyond prison walls.
During the roundtable discussion, Harris is expected to announce a rule from the Small Business Administration that will remove restrictions on loan eligibility based on a borrower’s criminal record. The roundtable will also feature four of the pardon recipients announced by Biden earlier in the week. White House Director of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin will moderate the discussion, highlighting the importance of criminal justice reform and the opportunities for individuals returning from incarceration to contribute positively to society.
Kardashian’s past advocacy efforts, including her meetings with Trump at the White House and her work on helping former inmates secure employment opportunities, have been instrumental in raising awareness about criminal justice reform. Her involvement in the discussions at the White House with Harris and Biden underscores the ongoing efforts to address systemic issues within the criminal justice system and provide second chances to individuals who have served time in prison. These initiatives align with Biden’s commitment to creating a fairer and more equitable justice system for all Americans.
The passage of the First Step Act in 2018, influenced in part by Kardashian’s advocacy, marked a significant moment of bipartisanship during Trump’s presidency. The law aimed to reform mandatory minimum sentencing laws and improve rehabilitation and reentry programs for individuals in the criminal justice system. Biden’s clemency actions and the discussions at the White House further emphasize the importance of providing opportunities for rehabilitation and redemption for individuals who have been incarcerated, in line with the principles of Second Chance Month.
Overall, Kardashian’s upcoming meeting with Harris at the White House represents a continuation of her advocacy efforts for criminal justice reform. By participating in discussions about pardons and engaging in initiatives aimed at supporting individuals with criminal records, Kardashian and other advocates are working towards creating a more just and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities. The collaboration between public figures like Kardashian and government officials like Harris and Biden highlights the importance of collective action in addressing the challenges within the criminal justice system and supporting those seeking a second chance.
