Trump Wants To Keep Other Alice Johnsons In Jail, Or Worse
Alice Johnson was convicted of a crime (dealing drugs) about which our current president insisted in May of 2018: “...if we don’t get tough on drug dealers we’re wasting our time, and that toughness includes the death penalty."
The sentencing guidelines for which crime our current Attorney General Jeff Sessions has “returned to the guidance of President George W. Bush’s administration by calling for more uniform punishments — including mandatory minimum sentences — and instructing prosecutors to pursue the harshest possible charges.”
So, as Trump (rightfully) commutes the sentence of one person, he and his administration are actively working to create untold thousands of new Alice Johnsons.
Conversely, President Obama commuted 1,715 sentences for non-violent drug offenders, while Attorney General Holder also instituted more reasoned policies for charging and sentencing of those accused of non-violent drug offenses. Their policies were meant to combat unfair sentencing practices, not exacerbate them.
So, as Trump (rightfully) commutes the sentence of one person, he and his administration are actively working to create untold thousands of new Alice Johnsons.
Conversely, President Obama commuted 1,715 sentences for non-violent drug offenders, while Attorney General Holder also instituted more reasoned policies for charging and sentencing of those accused of non-violent drug offenses. Their policies were meant to combat unfair sentencing practices, not exacerbate them.
Think about it this way... if Alice Johnson were to be convicted now under our current administration, she would face the harshest possible charges and be subject to longer mandatory minimum sentences.
The exact same unfair guidelines Alice Johnson needed rescued from now.
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