Judd hints at White House plan to help ex-inmates
WASHINGTON — Country music star Wynonna Judd dropped hints Thursday that she is working with the White House and Hope for Prisoners of Las Vegas to help inmates re-enter society.
Judd and her husband, Cactus Moser, participated in a National Day of Prayer event Thursday in the Rose Garden. Afterward she told reporters she had attended a couple of meetings in the White House on Wednesday.
Judd did not want to disclose the reason for the talks, but she promised that when she did talk about her advocacy with the White House she would be “loud and proud.”
“This is the beginning of a new chapter for me,” she added.
Judd also dropped a clue when she said she met with “Brooke” — an apparent reference to Brooke Rollins, a special assistant to President Donald Trump who has been a key figure in the administration’s criminal justice reform efforts.
Last month, Judd participated in a graduation ceremony for Hope for Prisoners, a Las Vegas nonprofit that has helped more than 2,000 former inmates re-enter society.
Hope for Prisoners founder Jon Ponder confirmed to the Las Vegas Review-journal that Judd met with Rollins and chief adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, whom Trump credits for spearheading passage of a criminal justice reform measure, the First Step Act, last year.
Trump summoned Judd to join him at the podium during Thursday’s event. “What a voice,” Trump said. “You better come up here.” But Judd declined and Trump moved on.
Also in the Rose Garden were Pastors Pasqual and Norma Urrabazo of the International Church of Las Vegas.
Contact Debra J. Saunders on dsaunders@reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7391. Follow @Debrajsaunders on Twitter.