OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 12:53 PM PT — Friday, Dec. 21, 2018
The president has officially signed the First Step Act into law, allowing for sweeping criminal justice reform.
During a press conference Friday, the president said this was maybe the only piece of legislation to receive resounding bipartisan support since he took office. The measure passed overwhelmingly with only 12 lawmakers in the Senate voting against it ,while only 36 voted against it in the House.
Alveda King, niece of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., speaks to President Donald Trump during a signing ceremony for criminal justice reform in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, in Washington. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, watches at center. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The president said the new law will allow judges to have more jurisdiction over recommended sentencing, cutting back on harsh penalties for misdemeanor crimes.
He also said the legislation received support form states that are typically the harshest critics on criminal justice, including Texas.
Going forward, President Trump said there is a possibility the White House may make further reforms to the criminal justice system.
