On Monday night in the White House President Donald Trump celebrated the passage of the First Step Act.
President Trump designated April as the First Step Act Month. The program includes cutting prison sentences for thousands of federal inmates. During the ceremony Trump noted that Americans with criminal backgrounds are unemployed at rates up to five times the national average.
Tonight at the White House, President Trump celebrated the passage of the First Step Act: “It was time to fix this broken system . . . and to improve the lives of so many people.” pic.twitter.com/yATiHIir1o
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) April 1, 2019
According to FOX News:
Trump scored a win that eluded his predecessor, Barack Obama, in reducing long mandatory minimum sentences and other guidelines that for decades were blamed for disparate treatment of Americans of color, such as punishing crack cocaine violations with imprisonment 18 times longer than for powder cocaine.
During the ceremony President Trump invited people who have benefited from the First Step Act to share a few words.
Gregory Allen, an ex-felon, stole the show with his praise of President Trump and the First Step Act. Allen was released from prison under the First Step Act.
Gregory Allen: “Two months ago, I was in a prison cell and [now] I’m in the White House. Let’s continue to make America great again!”
Powerful moment from @realDonaldTrump’s Prison Reform Summit.
Gregory Allen, one the people who have benefited from the #FirstStepAct explained, "Two months ago, I was in a prison cell and [now] I'm in the White House. Let’s continue to make America great again!" pic.twitter.com/0qioKSBUMN
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) April 2, 2019