Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) has introduced a new legislation aimed at removing Secret Service protection from convicted felons sentenced to prison, with former President Donald Trump being a clear target. The bill, known as the DISGRACED Former Protectees Act, seeks to address the unforeseen scenario of Secret Service protection interfering with the criminal judicial process and the administration of justice.
Thompson, the former chairman of the House Jan. 6 select committee, expressed regret that such a measure had become necessary. He highlighted the need to update existing laws to ensure that protective status does not translate into special treatment, emphasizing that those sentenced to prison must serve their required time.
The legislation specifically mentions Trump, whose unprecedented 91 felony charges in federal and state courts across the country have created a new urgency for Congress to act. If convicted of a felony, Trump would be subject to the provisions of this bill.
Passing this legislation would alleviate potential complications and logistical concerns associated with incarcerating the 77-year-old former president, should he receive a prison sentence. Trump currently faces trials in Manhattan for alleged hush money payments to women, in Florida for alleged hoarding of classified White House documents, in Washington, D.C. for alleged efforts to interfere in the 2020 election, and in Georgia for a sprawling racketeering case related to alleged meddling in the state’s 2020 election results. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and could face hundreds of years in prison if convicted on all counts in all four cases.
The ongoing trial in Manhattan and the impending trials in Florida, Washington, D.C., and Georgia underscore the need for legislation that addresses the potential clash between Secret Service protection and the criminal justice system.
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