Kim Kardashian Reacts to Death Penalty Abolishment for 737 Prisoners in California

March 15, 2019 | by Junie Sihlangu

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced that he would abolish the death penalty in his state. This move would also grant a pardon to more than 700 death row inmates.

The controversial move has been supported and promoted by reality star Kim Kardashian. Not everyone was pleased with the idea including the president.

Gavin Newsom’s official pardon would affect around 737 death row inmates. Since 2006, California hasn’t executed any prisoners in the state.

I have met with and am very supportive of Governor Newsom and his decision to help bring an end to the California Death Penalty. Racial bias and unfairness run deep throughout the justice system but especially when it comes to the death penalty.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 13, 2019

However, President Donald Trump wasn’t pleased with the idea and took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to clarify his position. Currently, his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., is dating Newsom’s ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Reality star Kim Kardashian tweeted her support for the governor’s announcement. Last May, she’d also met with Trump at the White House to discuss prison reform.

12:45pm: The death chamber at San Quentin. Closed. pic.twitter.com/0zK4UUItBG
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) March 13, 2019

At the time, her visit resulted in the president granting clemency to Alice Marie Johnson after she spent 21 years in prison. Late on Tuesday night, Kardashian praised Newsom’s decision in a series of tweets.

The death penalty has been an abject failure. It discriminates based on the color of your skin or how much money you make. It’s ineffective, irreversible, and immoral. It goes against the very values that we stand for — which is why CA is putting a stop to this failed system.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 13, 2019

She reiterated her advocacy for prison reform and spoke against the “racial bias and unfairness” that she claimed was part of the criminal justice system. The reality star also shared that she’d personally met with Newsom.

Thank you Kim for using your platform to help others!!! You are truly doing amazing things out there.
— Mousewife (@mousewives) March 13, 2019

This week, Kardashian showed how much she took the prison issue seriously by revealing that she intended to pay the rent of former inmate Matthew Charles for the next five years.

You are telling me that if someone brutally killed one of your children and or family member, that you would be okay with a life sentence vs the death penalty? Really? If the evidence was clear as day?
— LaLa (@la_landres) March 13, 2019

Her fans were split into those who supported her stance and those who didn’t. Others also praised her for using her fame for a good cause.

For the last year, I have immersed myself in learning about the criminal justice system. I visited prisons, met with formerly incarcerated people, and helped with cases of individual injustice - including two death penalty cases.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 13, 2019

Newsom shared where his death penalty ban idea came from. When he was around 10 years old he met a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder.

That was when the seed for the groundwork for his decision to place a moratorium was planted.