TheTexan | Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), a freshman from Dallas, signed onto a resolution back in April that would have stripped Secret Service protection from Donald Trump had he been sentenced to prison — a proposal now gaining attention following the July 13 assassination attempt against the former president.
House Resolution 8081 by Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) would have changed the law centered on “Denying Certain Felons Secret Service Protection.”
“The protection authorized…shall terminate for any person upon sentencing following conviction for a Federal or State offense that is punishable for a term of imprisonment of at least one year,” the text reads.
Thompson and Crockett were joined by Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Bonnie Coleman (D-NJ-12), Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), and Steve Cohen (D-TN-09).
“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 when the resolution was filed.
“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 bill’s fact sheet says specifically, “This measure would apply to former President Trump. It also would apply to all Secret Service protectees convicted and sentenced under felony charges.”
Trump was convicted in May on 34 felony counts in the New York “hush money” trial; he has not yet been sentenced to any prison time or any other punishment stemming from those convictions.
The resolution fell under the spotlight over the weekend when a gunman took multiple shots at Trump during a Pennsylvania campaign rally, one of which struck the former president in his ear and another which killed an attendee and injured two others. The assassination attempt failed in taking out Trump but could secure his election this November.
The betting odds of a Trump election jumped to 71 percent following the assassination attempt and his chances in swing states also jumped.
In its aftermath, Republicans in the Texas Legislature started circulating a joint letter calling for Crockett to resign from Congress.
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