In response to the landmark trial of Trump that concluded in conviction last Thursday, Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson is pushing a bill that would remove the former president’s Secret Service protection if he receives a federal prison sentence.
Thompson, the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, introduced the Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable (DISGRACED) Former Protectees Act on April 19 amid the trial.
“Unfortunately, current law doesn’t anticipate how Secret Service protection would impact the felony prison sentence of a protectee – even a former President,” Thompson said in a statement. “It is regrettable that it has come to this, but this previously unthought-of scenario could become our reality.
“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.”
The legislation entered the fray of discussion following Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records on May 30 in New York v. Trump.
The House Homeland Security Committee said the bill addresses the logistics of Secret Service protection possibly resulting in home confinement for Trump rather than prison time, if sentenced.
“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,” a bill fact sheet reads from the committee.
Secret Service officials said the case outcome “has no bearing on the manner in which the United States Secret Service carries out its protective mission,” in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Our security measures will proceed unchanged.”
But in the potential imprisonment of Trump, the expected Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, the legislation led by Thompson and other Democrats would impede this protection.
Some Mississippi elected officials responded publicly in response to the verdict on Thursday, including Gov. Tate Reeves.
Bennie Thompson has crossed a line that is embarrassing for our state – and dangerous for our country.
His work to remove secret service protection from Donald Trump and leave him vulnerable (after a sham trial) begs the question….is it his goal to make it more likely that his… https://t.co/2kW7AUEfhp
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) June 2, 2024
Trump’s sentencing for the conviction is set for July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention is set to take place in Milwaukee. Still, the former president is expected to appeal the verdict.
