5-4 Pulsifer v. United States
22 snips
Feb 17, 2026 A legal fight over who qualifies for resentencing under the First Step Act. A close reading of whether the word "and" should be read literally or function like "or." Examination of mandatory minimums, how sentencing rules work, and the Act’s narrow real-world reach. A look at Jared Kushner’s role in passing the law and how court interpretations shift who wins and who loses.
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First Step Act's Limited Reach
- The First Step Act created limited pathways for judges to depart from federal mandatory minimums.
- The law aimed to reduce incarceration but only applies narrowly to certain federal cases.
Jared Kushner's Lobbying Role
- Jared Kushner personally lobbied Trump and others to pass the First Step Act.
- He recruited celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West to push the bill forward.
The 'And' Versus 'Or' Battle
- The case hinged on whether the statute's 'and' functions conjunctively or disjunctively.
- The Court's interpretation decided eligibility for resentencing under the Act.
