Alice Johnson on Thursday thanked President Trump and reality TV star Kim Kardashian West after Trump commuted her drug-related sentence and freed her after being behind bars for nearly 22 years.
“I would tell President Trump, ‘Thank you so much. That I am going to be that one that is going to make you so proud,’” Johnson told CBS the morning after being released. “And I hope that my life encourages him to do this for others too.”
Alice Johnson’s message to @realDonaldTrump after being released from prison 21 years later: “I would tell President Trump, ‘Thank you so much. That I am going to be that one that is going to make you so proud.’ And I hope that my life encourages him to do this for others too.” pic.twitter.com/Jg9xsutqbu
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) June 7, 2018
Johnson said it was a “miracle” that Kardashian West showed interest in her case and presented it to both Trump and his aide, son-in-law Jared Kushner.
“I know that it was a miracle,” Johnson said when asked on “Today” why she believes Kardashian West picked her case to focus in on. “I know that only God could have touched Kim Kardashian’s heart like that. And we have connected. She said that she felt something when she saw and heard my story.”
Over two decades ago, the 63-year-old grandmother was convicted for a nonviolent drug offense and was sentenced to life in prison. Kardashian West took a special interest in Johnson’s case and has been advocating both for her commutation and prison reform in general for nonviolent drug offenses.
“I know that it was a miracle. I know that only God could’ve touched @KimKardashian’s heart like that.” -Alice Johnson pic.twitter.com/DuB27PEqkq
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 7, 2018
Trump signed the order to commute Johnson’s life sentence on Wednesday, and she was able to run into her family’s arms just hours after the order was signed. Johnson returned to her home in Tennessee.
“I feel like my life is starting over again.” Watch 63-year-old Alice Johnson reunite with her family after President Trump commutes her life sentence pic.twitter.com/PTHO6IPPTy
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 7, 2018
Trump tweeted “good luck” to Johnson Thursday morning and wished her a “wonderful life.”
Good luck to Alice Johnson. Have a wonderful life!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2018
