Isaiah Washington, the “Grey’s Anatomy” actor, lauded President Donald Trump for the First Step Act and lashed out at former President Obama for a lack of action.
“I voted for 44 (Obama) twice. I even checked my emails in his Senate Office while lobbying for Salone to be given another chance to rebrand,” Washington, who also appeared in Spike Lee films like “Clockers” and “Crooklyn,” wrote on Twitter.
He added, “Not once in 8 years was I given any support regarding Africa or the Black Agenda, but 45 (Trump) invites me to the WH to celebrate the #FirstStepAct.”
I voted for 44 twice. I even checked my emails in his Senate Office while lobbying for Salone to be given another chance to rebrand. Not once in 8 years was I given any support regarding Africa or the Black Agenda, but 45 invites me to the WH to celebrate the #FirstStepAct 🤷🏾♂️
— Isaiah Washington (@IWashington) April 1, 2019
Washington added that the First Step Act has initiated the “end of mass incarceration.”
“Those who know, know that I’m not a Democrat or a Republican. I will work w/h anyone as long as things get done,” he also wrote.
Last year, Congress passed the First Step Act, which gives judges more discretion when sentencing drug offenders while favoring rehabilitation efforts over incarceration.
The East Room at the @WhiteHouse I was there for it…#FirstStepAct 🇺🇸#SecondStepAct 🇺🇸#SecondChanceAct 🇺🇸 cc: @ArtistsAthletes @cut_50 pic.twitter.com/EKXsvAqXvd
— Isaiah Washington (@IWashington) April 2, 2019
This week, Trump hosted a celebration at the White House with ex-convicts who got an early release under the act.
“Two months ago, I was in a prison cell. And I’m in the White House. That’s continuing to make America great again,” said Gregory Allen, one of the ex-convicts, who was introduced by Trump, reported The New York Post.
Those who know, know that I’m not a Democrat or a Republican. I will work w/h anyone as long as things get done. The #FirstStepAct was passed on December 21, 2018 w/h the hard work of @JessyMichele @LouislReed @VanJones68 and @cut_50 I’m proud to stand with them all today. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Y1yTIs088g
— Isaiah Washington (@IWashington) April 1, 2019
Alice Marie Johnson, who had her sentence commuted, was also present at the ceremony on April 1.
“I want to thank our incredible President Donald John Trump,” Johnson said. “I also want to thank the media for being so kind to me.”
So far, according to the report, about 500 inmates have been released.
Trump noted that the law undoes a policy under former President Bill Clinton that he said has disenfranchised African Americans.
Not even the mistakes of the '90s are safe from Trump
Posted by Washington Examiner on Monday, April 1, 2019
“Finally, the law rolls back provisions of the 1994 Clinton crime law that was so devastating to so many, and that disproportionately impacted the African American community,” Trump said, reported the Washington Examiner.
“Nobody believes how much, and now they understand it. In less than four months more than 500 people with unfair sentences have been released from prison and are free to begin a new life.”
Trump hosts ex-convicts freed under the First Step Act https://t.co/lQ8xSU5FeQ pic.twitter.com/QjWCLaDinJ
— New York Post (@nypost) April 2, 2019
“It’s happening, and it’s happening fast, and it’s a lot for some people to understand,” Trump also said at the event, adding that some 16,000 inmates have been enrolled in drug treatment programs.
