Kim Kardashian Joins Kamala Harris At White House Roundtable On Presidential Pardons

Reality star Kim Kardashian joined Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Thursday for a roundtable discussion focused on the pardons issued by President Joe Biden. This marks another step in Kardashian’s involvement in national criminal justice policy.

The conversation took place a day after Biden granted pardons to 11 individuals and commuted the sentences of five others who had been convicted of non-violent drug offenses.

Among the participants in the forum were Jason Hernandez, Bobby Darrell Lowery, Jesse Mosley and Beverly Holcy—individuals who had received pardons the previous day. They shared their experiences within the justice system and highlighted the positive endeavors they pursued in their communities after their release, such as starting businesses or non-profit organizations.

At the event, Harris stated, “I’m a big believer in the power of redemption. 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 the resources they need to do that?”

She thanked Kardashian for her advocacy efforts and for using her platform to raise awareness about the significance of second chances. Kardashian responded, “I’m just here to help and spread the word,” and told the pardon recipients she was “so excited to be here to hear your stories.”

In addition to discussing pardons, Harris announced the finalization of a new rule that removes most restrictions on Small Business Administration loans based on a person’s criminal record.

Kardashian’s involvement in criminal justice reform dates back to 2018 when she met with Donald Trump to advocate for the commutation of Alice Marie Johnson’s life sentence. Her efforts were instrumental in bringing attention to the issue and influencing Trump’s decision. In subsequent years, Kardashian continued to engage in criminal justice initiatives and addressed the topic of employment opportunities for former inmates during a speech in the White House East Room.

Kardashian’s advocacy has been recognized for its contribution to advancing criminal justice reform and culminated in the passage of the First Step Act in 2018. This bipartisan prison reform law stands out as a notable achievement during Trump’s presidency and has received recognition even from his staunchest critics.

Kardashian’s visit coincided with Armenian Remembrance Day, which holds personal significance for Kardashian due to her Armenian heritage. Biden became the first U.S. president in 2021 to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, acknowledging the atrocities committed against Armenians under the Ottoman Empire over a century ago.

As the Biden administration commemorates “Second Chance Month,” Biden has reaffirmed his commitment to building a fair criminal justice system that provides individuals returning from incarceration with opportunities to pursue the American Dream. The roundtable discussion with Kardashian and Harris aligns with these ongoing efforts.