(RestoreAmericanGlory.com) – On Friday, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), who previously chaired the now-disbanded Jan. 6 committee, introduced a bill aimed at withdrawing Secret Service protection from any former executive who is convicted of a felony. This proposed legislation, titled the “Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable (DISGRACED) Former Protectees Act,” would revoke the lifelong security detail traditionally provided to former presidents if they are convicted and sentenced to a year or more in prison.
Thompson expressed concern over the current laws, which do not consider how Secret Service protection could affect the incarceration of a convicted former president. “Given the unprecedented situation we might face, it is crucial that we adapt our laws to ensure that no individual, regardless of their status, receives special treatment under our legal system,” Thompson stated. He emphasized the importance of updating the law to guarantee that those sentenced to prison serve their designated time without the interference of protective status.
The initiative highlights potential complications that could arise from continuing Secret Service protection during imprisonment, potentially leading to alternative forms of confinement like home detention. The bill seeks to clarify that a convict’s Secret Service detail should not influence the traditional punitive measures of the justice system.
“This bill is intended to eliminate any conflicting authority within prison systems and to allow judges to sentence individuals without the logistical concerns that come with Secret Service protection,” explained Thompson’s team in a briefing document.
Secret Service coverage extends beyond former presidents to other high-profile figures and their immediate families. However, the focus on revoking protection is particularly pertinent given that former President Trump is the only current former president facing multiple felony charges across several state and federal cases.
Thompson also addressed concerns regarding the retrospective application of the law, asserting that the legislation is designed not to be punitive but to align federal law with practical realities. He referenced case law to support that the government has the authority to withdraw benefits, provided the changes are not intended to punish retroactively.
This bill arises as Trump faces legal battles in multiple venues, including a hush money trial in New York and charges related to the January 6th incidents in federal court in Washington and Georgia, along with a federal documents case in Florida.
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