President Trump Already Supported Sweeping Bi-Partisan Criminal Justice Reforms, Harris is Ignoring Them
Steve Bannon recently sent a fiery message from prison, aiming for Kamala Harris and the Biden-Harris administration. He accuses them of failing to uphold criminal justice reform, specifically the First Step Act—a bipartisan law signed by President Trump in 2018. According to Bannon, this administration’s decisions have hurt him and countless others who deserved a fair shot at early release.
Resources: In this 2019 article from The Hill, the American people strongly support Criminal Justice Reforms.
“From the headlines these days, you might think that there is little that Republicans and Democrats agree on — but that is simply not true. After decades of failed policies and devastating consequences, Americans on both ends of the political spectrum strongly agree about the need for bold action to reform the nation’s drug and criminal justice policies. The question is: Will policymakers hear their unified voices urging action?
Polling recently conducted on behalf of Legal Action Center (LAC) found most Americans (71 percent) believe that treatment for addiction to opioids and other drugs should be readily available and affordable for all who need it, including 80 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of Republicans. Most Americans (67 percent) also believe we should treat addiction to opioids and other drugs more as a health problem than a criminal problem, including 78 percent of Democrats and 55 percent of Republicans. And there is strong support (61 percent) for expanding programs that send people arrested for drug use to treatment instead of prison.
As the polling makes clear, Americans recognize this essential truth: Addiction treatment is less expensive, more effective and simply more sensible than the current law enforcement approach, which has not worked, is racially biased and has devastated communities,” The Hill reported.
Bannon’s Application for Early Release Denied
Just last week, Bannon was told he wouldn’t be granted early release under the First Step Act, even though he was eligible. The reason? His sentence was almost complete. Bannon sees this as a political move, aimed at denying him the rights outlined in the Act. The decision has triggered outrage, particularly among those who view this as “lawfare”—a strategy to punish political foes through legal systems.
A Campaign Flashpoint in Black and Hispanic Communities
Bannon’s criticism isn’t just a personal gripe—it’s turning into a major campaign issue, especially in Black and Hispanic communities. Many of these communities have seen the justice system shift from reform to stricter control, with promises of change going unmet. Activists argue that the Biden-Harris administration is more focused on tightening its grip over the incarcerated than genuinely helping them reintegrate.
First Step Act: A Reform Ignored?
The First Step Act was a key part of Trump’s legacy, aimed at reducing sentences, offering early release for good behavior, and promoting rehabilitation. But Bannon claims the Biden-Harris team isn’t using it the way it was intended. His situation, and that of others, has raised questions about whether the current administration is picking and choosing when to apply these reforms. It’s a debate that’s gaining steam as the election nears.
Justice System Reform: Real Change or Just Politics?
Criminal justice reform was once a bipartisan goal. But Bannon’s case has thrown a spotlight on a growing partisan divide. Democrats have long been champions of reform, fighting for reduced sentencing, better rehabilitation, and a focus on re-entry programs. But Bannon argues they’ve abandoned those principles when it comes to political opponents.
He’s not alone in this belief. Many in the Black and Hispanic communities, who were promised a better system, now see a government more concerned with control than fairness. Critics argue that Democrats are leaning back into old habits—keeping inmates under tight supervision instead of offering genuine paths to a second chance.
Democrats Under Fire for Abandoning Reform
Activists point to the Obama administration’s efforts to boost prison educational and occupational programs. These were steps toward a fairer system aimed at reducing recidivism. However, under Biden, Bannon and his supporters argue that these reforms have become more about controlling and maintaining the status quo.
Bannon’s supporters say Republicans have a clearer, more consistent approach. For them, true reform means reducing government control and trusting individuals to rebuild their lives with fewer barriers. Democrats claim that the focus seems to be more on locking in control even after someone has served their time.
2024: A Justice System Showdown
As the 2024 election heats up, criminal justice reform is on the ballot. Bannon’s story is igniting fresh debate over whether justice reforms are applied fairly or only when they benefit those in power. For Black and Hispanic communities, which have seen promises of reform go unfulfilled, this is becoming a make-or-break issue.
Bannon’s message is blunt: America’s justice system has devolved, and the current administration isn’t interested in real reform. He believes his story is proof that Democrats have failed—and he’s counting on it to strike a chord with voters who feel the system is broken.
This isn’t just about him. It’s about a growing sense of betrayal among Americans who thought the First Step Act was a chance for real change. As Bannon puts it, it’s about a government that chooses control over compassion, and it’s a message that’s quickly becoming a key issue in 2024.
To read more of our coverage of the release of Steve Bannon:
Bannon’s Imprisonment Violates Law—Why He Should Be Released Immediately
Book Review "Rebels, Rogues, and Outlaws”: The Bold and Liberated Souls of WarRoom Exposed
Is This Why Steve Bannon Is in Prison? The Truth Behind His Defiance and Pelosi’s Accountability
Also of interest Peter Navarro’s take on needed and ignored prison reforms:
And we know that Kamala Harris is on the run, on this topic:
Kamala Harris Exposed: Ruthless Truancy Policies Hurt Black Families for Financial Gain
