Influential First Step Act opponent backs some key provisions, offering hope to supporters

By Steven Nelson

Published December 6, 2018 2:04pm ET

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Influential First Step Act opponent backs some key provisions, offering hope to supporters — U.S. President Donald Trump smiles during a signing ceremony for H. R. 5682, First Step Act, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. TrumpÂ endorsed proposed legislation that would change criminal sentencing rules and provide new assistance to some ex-cons, in a bid to build momentum for a bill that top Senate Republicans say is unlikely to pass this year. | (Yuri Gripas/Bloomberg)

A leading opponent of President Trump’s push for criminal justice reform has admitted that he supports key planks of the legislation, giving reformers hope it can pass by the end of the year.

Larry Leiser, president of the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, told the Washington Examiner he supports in principle three of four major sentencing reforms included in the Trump-backed First Step Act.

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