Kim Kardashian meets with VP Kamala Harris to talk criminal justice reform

WASHINGTON — Kim Kardashian joined Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Thursday to discuss criminal justice reform and President Joe Biden's use of pardons and clemency. 

The reality TV star and businesswoman, who has used her platform to draw attention to individual inmates she feels were wrongfully convicted, joined Harris, four people who received pardons from the Biden administration on Wednesday, and Steve Benjamin, director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, for a roundtable event.

Kardashian's visit to D.C. comes during the same week Biden pardoned 11 people convicted of non-violent drug charges and commuted the sentences of five others he deemed worthy of "the chance at building a brighter future for themselves beyond prison walls."

"I am super honored to be here to hear your stories today and I think it's so important to share them and amplify them because there are so many people that are in your position that could use the inspiration," Kardashian told the recently pardoned recipients attending the event: Beverly Holcy, Jason Hernandez, Bobby Darrell Lowery, and Jesse Mosley. "I'm just here to help and spread the word."

During her remarks, Harris confirmed the finalization of a Small Business Administration rule she first announced in January, which removes most restrictions on loan eligibility based on a person’s criminal record. 

"We have convened today to talk about the power of individuals — when supported by community, by society — the power they have to do extraordinary things that benefit all kinds of people," Harris said. "Reducing that restriction is going to mean a lot in terms of second chances and the opportunity for people to excel."

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The annual event, which takes place in April, aims to highlight how government and service providers can "build meaningful second chances for people returning from incarceration," according to the U.S. Department of Justice. 

"During Second Chance Month, we recommit to building a criminal justice system that lives up to those ideals so that people returning to their communities from jail or prison have a fair shot at the American Dream," Biden said in a proclamation released by the White House. 

Last month, Harris convened a separate roundtable on marijuana reform featuring pardon recipients, rapper Fat Joe, and other politicians.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said the roundtable aimed to highlight Biden’s commitment to “second chance” policies. During his administration, Biden has commuted the sentences of 122 people and granted pardons to 20 others who committed non-violent drug offenses. 

“Many of you had heard me say it. I just don’t think people should have to go to jail for smoking weed,” Harris said.

Thursday’s roundtable discussion was not the first time Kardashian visited the White House. In 2020, she met with former president Donald Trump to thank him for commuting the sentences of three women and discuss change she said the U.S. justice system “desperately needs.”

"It was actually in this very room that I was in years ago, my first clemency meeting, that really inspired me to take a journey," Kardashian said. "I didn't know a whole lot, and I was inspired to go to law school and really further my education to see what I can do to help."

"The Kardashians" star has also gotten involved in the cases of some convicted celebrities. In 2020, she called for the early release of Corey Miller, a rapper who she believes was wrongfully convicted of murder. In 2019, she brought rapper A$AP Rocky, who a Swedish court found guilty of assault, to Trump's attention. 

Around the same time, Kardashian released a documentary called "The Justice Project" centering around her criminal justice reform work and announced she had passed the "baby bar" exam.

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, as @rachelbarber_