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Fact Sheets

President Donald J. Trump Is Working to Create a Future of Opportunity and Prosperity for All Americans

Law & Justice

Issued on:

CREATING A FAIRER JUSTICE SYSTEM AND MAKING COMMUNITIES SAFER: President Trump’s criminal justice reforms offer Americans a second chance and keep our communities safe.

  • In 2018, President Trump signed the groundbreaking First Step Act which enacted reforms that make our justice system fairer and help former inmates successfully return to society.
    • This historic legislation gained widespread support from police, prosecutors, and prominent civic and religious organizations.
  • The First Step Act’s reforms addressed inequities in sentencing laws that disproportionately harmed the African American community.
    • Over 90% of those benefitting from the retroactive sentencing reductions in the First Step Act are African American.
  • The First Step Act eliminated life sentencing under the “three strikes” provision and expanded judicial discretion in sentencing of non-violent crimes.
  • The First Step Act provides rehabilitative programs to inmates, helping them successfully rejoin society and not return to crime.
    • President Trump’s reforms are smart on crime, recognizing that successful reentry is critical to making our communities safer.
    • President Trump’s solution focuses on what works, addressing the risks and needs of prisoners to promote rehabilitation.

OFFERING A SECOND CHANCE: The President is advancing second chance hiring to break down employment barriers for former inmates and give them the best possible chance to succeed.

  • The Trump Administration is promoting second chance hiring to give former inmates the opportunity to live crime-free lives and find meaningful employment.
  • The Department of Education is expanding an initiative that allows individuals in prison to receive Pell Grants to better prepare themselves for the workforce.
  • The Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons launched a new “Ready to Work Initiative” to help connect employers directly with former prisoners.
  • The Department of Labor awarded $2.2 million to States to expand the use of fidelity bonds which underwrite companies that hire former prisoners.

LIFTING UP ALL AMERICANS: These reforms build on President Trump’s vow to ensure that no community is forgotten and that everyone has the ability to achieve the American dream.

  • Americans from all backgrounds are benefitting from the booming economy, with more than 6.4 million jobs created, rising wages, and unemployment at the lowest rate in half a century.
    • African American poverty and unemployment rates have reached record lows.
  • President Trump is revitalizing forgotten communities through Opportunity Zones, which encourage investment and growth in underserved communities.
  • President Trump established the Pledge to America’s Workers, leading companies to create more than 14 million employment, training, and education opportunities for workers.
  • President Trump has made supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) a priority, moving the Federal HBCU initiative to the White House shortly after taking office.