The former chair of the now-disbanded Jan. 6 committee introduced a bill Friday that would strip Secret Service protection of any former executive convicted of a felony — an effort to avoid the complications of incarcerating former President Trump should he be ordered to serve jail time.
Dubbed the “Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable (DISGRACED) Former Protectees Act,” the legislation from Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) would nix the lifelong protection given to former presidents if they are convicted and sentenced for a felony that carries a year or more in prison time.
Note:
“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,” Thompson’s team wrote on a one-pager on the bill.
Secret Service protections are not just afforded to current and former presidents but also other high ranking officials and immediate family members of protectees.
But Trump is the only protectee facing felony charges — 91 various felony charges across four different state and federal cases.
I... don't think I agree with that. Make concessions for them while they're in prison, yes. But if they're out, somebody needs to be keeping an eye on them. Being convicted doesn't remove state secrets from their minds.
So, rather than stripping the protection, shift the authority in the relationship more to the Secret Service. Part bodyguards, part probation officers.
Hell, they could make it mandatory and restrict international travel while they're at it.
Secret Service are also surveillance. We may need to know whether Trump is meeting with Russian spies.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth "The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
I can totally understand all that, but I do think - because of the crazy timeline we're in - this type of law removes the mental hurdle requiring Secret Service protection for an incarcerated former President.
Once we clear that bar, then adding additional protections back in place that make more sense should absolutely be considered.
Prison's easy. For national security, it is necessary that Trump be kept in protective custody. Assign him an agent who gets to read a book for 7 1/2 of his 8 hour shift. Problem solved.
