Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) has introduced a bill that could fundamentally alter Secret Service protection for former executives convicted of felonies. The DISGRACED Former Protectees Act seeks to revoke lifelong Secret Service coverage from any former executive, including presidents, convicted of a felony.
The Hill reported that Thompson, the former chair of the now-disbanded Jan. 6 committee, presented the bill on Friday. This legislative action would strip Secret Service protection to former executives, such as former President Trump, who is currently battling multiple felony charges across various jurisdictions.
Thompson's crusade to strip Trump of his Secret Service protection demonstrates just how unhinged Democrats have become. They are actively putting Trump's life in danger.
The "Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable (DISGRACED) Former Protectees Act" is designed to remove Secret Service protection from those convicted and sentenced for a felony punishable by a year or more in prison.
Thompson has voiced his belief that the current legal framework does not adequately address the potential conflict between Secret Service protection and the incarceration of a former president convicted of a felony. "Unfortunately, current law doesn’t anticipate how Secret Service protection would impact the felony prison sentence of a protectee — even a former President," Thompson has remarked, underscoring the need for legal clarity in such situations.
He further emphasized the importance of ensuring that no individual, regardless of their previous status or the privileges that came with it, receives special treatment upon being convicted and sentenced to prison time.
Thompson's comments highlight a shared concern about the implications of ongoing Secret Service protection for incarcerated former executives, implying that such protection could potentially lead to unequal treatment within the judicial system.
Legal experts have speculated that, due to the complexities surrounding Secret Service protection, high-profile convicts like former President Trump could be sentenced to home confinement instead of prison. This potential outcome has raised questions about the fairness of the sentencing process for protected individuals and prompted Thompson's legislative initiative.
The bill introduces a mechanism for eliminating potential conflicts of authority within prison environments and ensures that sentencing judges can make decisions without the added complication of Secret Service logistics. The provision indicates a concerted effort to maintain the integrity of the judicial process, especially in cases involving former high-ranking officials.
Importantly, the Secret Service offers protection not only to former presidents but also to other high-ranking officials and their immediate family members. This broad scope of coverage means that the implications of the DISGRACED Former Protectees Act could extend beyond just former presidents, affecting a wider array of individuals connected to the executive branch.
Former President Trump is currently facing a total of 91 felony charges across four different cases at the state and federal levels. These include a hush money trial in New York, charges related to the events of January 6 in federal court in Washington and in Georgia, and a federal documents case in Florida.
Thompson's bill directly targets this unprecedented legal situation, aiming to ensure that the presence of Secret Service protection does not influence the sentencing process in these and similar cases.
Thompson has asserted that his proposed bill does not infringe upon concerns related to ex post facto laws. He maintains that stripping benefits, such as Secret Service protection, from convicted individuals does not constitute an unlawful punitive act, citing case law to support this perspective. This clarification aims to preempt potential legal challenges to the bill, emphasizing its foundation in the intention to uphold fairness and equity within the legal system.
In summary, the DISGRACED Former Protectees Act represents a significant legislative effort to address a complex issue that intersects with legal, ethical, and security considerations. By proposing to strip Secret Service protection from any former executive convicted of a felony, Rep. Bennie Thompson seeks to ensure that protective status does not result in special treatment for those sentenced to prison. The bill's introduction comes amid ongoing debates over the fairness of the judicial process, and as former President Trump faces multiple felony charges, it highlights the need for legal clarity in previously unanticipated scenarios.
