Rep. Bennie Thompson recently introduced a controversial piece of legislation targeting former President Donald Trump.
Breitbart News reported that Rep. Bennie Thompson proposed a bill revoking Secret Service protection from former President Donald Trump if convicted of a felony.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, previously the leader of then-Speaker Pelosi's January 6 Select Committee, proposed legislation in April 2024 to remove Secret Service protection from former President Donald Trump upon conviction.
The proposed legislation, officially named the Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable (DISGRACED) Former Protectees Act, seeks to terminate Secret Service protection for anyone convicted of a Federal or State offense punishable by at least one year in prison.
Thompson argues this measure is necessary to address potential conflicts within the prison system. "Unfortunately, current law doesn’t anticipate how Secret Service protection would impact the felony prison sentence of a protectee—even a former President," Thompson stated. He expressed the need to update the law to ensure those sentenced to prison would serve their time without any special treatment.
Thompson's legislation also follows Trump's conviction in a Manhattan courtroom. Although the conviction came weeks after the bill's introduction, sentencing has yet to be finalized and may be further complicated by potential Supreme Court decisions.
The bill has sparked significant debate, with some pointing out the possible ulterior motives behind the legislation. Byron York highlighted the "obvious subtext" that removing Secret Service protection could make Trump more vulnerable to harm. Critics argue that this vulnerability might have an intended impact on the bill.
Thompson, however, firmly maintains that his focus is on the logistical challenges and fairness in providing Secret Service protection to convicted individuals. He remarked, "It is regrettable that it has come to this, but this previously unthought-of scenario could become our reality."
The fact sheet supporting Thompson's bill emphasized the necessity for such legislation due to Trump's mounting 91 felony charges. It underlined that these charges created an urgent need for the proposed changes.
Former President Trump has been outspoken against the January 6 Committee led by Speaker Pelosi. He has accused Thompson, the top Democrat on the committee, of conducting a politically motivated effort against him. Trump's assertions were backed by transcripts revealing that the committee withheld and destroyed evidence that could have potentially vindicated him.
The introduction of the DISGRACED Former Protectees Act has intensified the political tensions surrounding Trump’s ongoing legal battles. Critics from both sides of the aisle are weighing in on the potential implications and fairness of the proposed legislation.
Rep. Bennie Thompson introduced the DISGRACED Act in April 2024 to strip Secret Service protection from former President Donald Trump upon a felony conviction. The bill follows an assassination attempt on Trump at a Pennsylvania rally and seeks to address the logistics and fairness of maintaining protection for convicted individuals.
While critics argue the bill may leave Trump susceptible to harm, Thompson emphasizes resolving legal conflicts and ensuring no special treatment for protectees. Trump's conviction in Manhattan court, pending Supreme Court decisions, and claims against the January 6 Committee further fuel the ongoing debate over the bill's motives and implications.
