Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced a bill aimed at stripping Secret Service protection from any former protectee convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison. The proposed law — titled the “Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable (DISGRACED) Former Protectees Act” — squarely targets President Donald Trump. The legislation specifies that Secret Service protection would cease following sentencing for any federal or state offense punishable by imprisonment for over a year.
Thompson was a co-chair of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) now-dissolved Jan. 6 Select Committee that made a mockery out of its obvious political hit on President Trump. In a Friday public statement, he claimed it is important that protective status does not equate to “special treatment” under the law, even though every case of Secret Service protection is a “special” situation.
The suspect bill was announced just as the unprecedented prosecution of President Trump in New York state court over “hush money” payments is getting underway. Critics, particularly from conservative circles, decry the bill as a politicized attack intended to weaken Trump’s security and, by extension, his influence and safety.
LEFTISTS want to #DerekChauvin the President of the United States of America! They hate PRESIDENT TRUMP but mostly #DemocratsHateAmerica https://t.co/0lP18LEZpa
— Blue Knight 🇺🇲🙏🇹🇼 (@Lightning1z) April 20, 2024
Legal experts suggest that the bill could lead to unprecedented logistical and legal challenges, from altering existing security protocols to navigating potential appeals concerning its application. These changes also affect how such cases are handled by the judicial system, potentially influencing how sentences are imposed and served.
The focus on Trump is explicit, with the bill’s documentation referencing his specific legal predicaments as a driving factor for this legislative push. As Trump faces over 90 felony charges, the implications of this bill could extend beyond merely altering his security detail, suggesting broader consequences for his future political and personal activities.
Thompson’s proposal has ignited a fiery debate on the balance between legal consequences and political maneuvering. It highlights the intense polarization that continues to characterize the American political environment as the nation heads toward another election cycle. Critics argue the bill could set a concerning precedent for how former national leaders are treated post-office, especially those embroiled in legal controversies.
