House Dem Introduces Legislation Aimed At Nixing Secret Service Protection For Trump

The Democrat who led the now-defunct January 6 Committee has come up with new legislation that could strip former President Donald Trump of Secret Service protection. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the top-ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, announced the legislation last week, in an effort which he says would “reform the U.S. Secret Service’s protective mission.”

While the bill does not specifically mention Trump’s name or that it is targeted towards him, a “fact sheet” on the legislation released by Thompson says that the former president would be affected by the bill if he ends up being convicted on any of his multiple criminal cases.

The so-called “fact sheet” notes that Trump faces an “unprecedented 91 felony charges in federal and state courts,” opening up “a new exigency that Congress must address to ensure Secret Service protection does not interfere with the criminal judicial process and the administration of justice.”

If the legislation, called the “Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable Former Protectees Act,” or the “DISGRACED Former Protectees Act,” is approved, it would “terminate” Secret Service protection for any individual “upon sentencing following conviction for a Federal or State offense that is punishable for a term of imprisonment of at least one year.”

Former January 6 Panel Chair Unveils Bill That Could Strip Trump Of Secret Service Protection https://t.co/fLt39sCtVd pic.twitter.com/3uvj6ksO8G

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“Unfortunately, current law doesn’t anticipate how Secret Service protection would impact the felony prison sentence of a protectee — even a former President. It is regrettable that it has come to this, but this previously unthought-of scenario could become our reality,” he said, adding, “Therefore, it is necessary for us to be prepared and update the law so the American people can be assured that protective status does not translate into special treatment — and that those who are sentenced to prison will indeed serve the time required of them.”

For Thompson, the legislation not only addresses an issue that is not covered in current law but would help avoid any complications with incarcerating Trump if he is ordered to serve jail time.

“This bill would remove the potential for conflicting lines of authority within prisons and allow judges to weigh the sentencing of individuals without having to factor in the logistical concerns of convicts with Secret Service protection,” he said.

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr. (d-LA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) and Joyce Beatty (D-OH).