Kerry Washington comments on Donald Trump's conviction and its implications for the justice system

Kerry Washington calls out Donald Trump, stating the challenges of perceptions of felons and the justice system.

Actress and producer Kerry Washington has expressed her thoughts on former President Donald Trump's conviction and its broader implications for the U.S. justice system. Speaking with Bustle ahead of the release of "UnPrisoned" season two on July 17, Washington discussed how Trump's ability to run for president despite his felony conviction has shifted her perspective.

“Everything has changed in terms of how I feel about the so-called justice system,” Washington told Bustle. She highlighted the irony of a convicted felon being able to run for president while many felons face significant restrictions. “If a person who is a convicted felon can still run for president, then we should be removing that box from job applications,” she said. Washington also emphasized that felons should have the right to vote, referencing efforts by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to restrict voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals in Trump's home state. “Donald Trump may not be able to vote in his home state,” she added.

Washington compared the label of being a felon to other societal labels such as gender and race. She noted that these labels often come with assumptions about a person's capabilities. Reflecting on her role in "Scandal," she said it allowed viewers to see a Black woman as a complex human being. “[She had] complexity, nuance, flaws, brilliance. She was aspirational and also such a mess,” Washington stated, drawing parallels to how society's view of felons is evolving.

In the interview, Washington also discussed her educational background, attending institutions like The Spence School in New York City and George Washington University. She believes that her education helped her navigate elite spaces with more confidence as a Black woman. “When people find out that I went to Spence, there’s an immediate softening and an invitation into their idea of normal,” she explained, suggesting that her prestigious education has facilitated her acceptance in traditionally white spaces.