Kerry Washington Says Felon Box Should Be Removed From Job Applications

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 14: Kerry Washington attends the 2024 Disney Upfront at Javits Center on May 14, 2024 in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 14: Kerry Washington attends the 2024 Disney Upfront at Javits Center on May 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Kerry Washington is making some suggestions regarding convicted felons after Donald Trump continues his presidential campaign.

The actress recently went on social media to talk about her stance on the criminal justice system and why convicted felons are treated poorly. At the same time, Trump can run for president. Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts in his “hush money” case, mainly for falsifying business records to conceal an alleged affair during his 2016 campaign. In her post, Washington expressed that people need to make their way to the polls and vote during this election year. 

In a recent interview, she said, “Everything has changed in terms of how I feel bout the so-called justice system. We’re in such an interesting moment when it comes to [the question of], ‘What is a felon?’ I love what people have been sharing on social media, [saying that] if a person who is a convicted felon can still run for president, then we should be removing that box from job applications.”

She also pointed out that convicted felons don’t have any voting rights and have to fight really hard to gain them back. “The irony is that [Gov.] Ron DeSantis has been trying to make it impossible in Trump’s home state,” she said. “A bill was passed in Florida to allow formerly incarcerated folks to vote, and DeSantis has been trying to do everything he can to [undercut] that. Donald Trump may not be able to vote in his home state.”

The movement to have questions about felons on job applications removed is called “Ban the Box.” She added, “Being a felon has become just another box that we put people in, to assume who they are and what they’re capable of, in the same way we do with gender or race.” 

Social media seems to agree with the actress. See what they had to say below. 

What are your thoughts on this?