What would happen if former President Donald Trump is convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison? What would happen to Trump’s Secret Service protection?
That’s a question being asked these days as the first of four big criminal trials against Trump begins today. We’ve never been here before, with the possibility of such a scenario happening, so it’s a legitimate question. Would Secret Service allow Trump to be escorted off to a jail cell? Would Secret Service agents go with him? What about accommodations for the agents if it all comes to fruition?
Let me first say that I am not at all convinced that Trump will serve time in prison. These are politically motivated show trials by desperate Democrats working to keep Trump out of the White House. There are plenty of Democrats working in the legal system who would cheer a jail sentence or two issued to Trump.
I do think that Trump will be convicted in what is described as his hush money trial in Manhattan. Too many Democrats in this process have made it their mission to “get Trump.” There is no reason to believe that the jurors in New York City are going to provide an unbiased verdict.
Enter a key player in the House January 6 investigation. That’s the committee put together by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi that consisted of only Democrats and their fellow travelers, Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger. Cheney was a co-chair with Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and the two of them were thick as thieves. They both took the mission of “get Trump” very seriously. Cheney thought she might parlay the exercise into a presidential run. Dream on, Liz.
New legislation was put forward on Friday by Thompson. He claims he wants to make sure that Trump doesn’t get special treatment if he is convicted and sentenced. He wants to address the question of Secret Service protection ahead of time so a procedure will be in place. Thompson is the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee.
“It is regrettable that it has come to this, but this previously unthought-of scenario could become our reality,” the Mississippi lawmaker said. “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.”
Thompson wants to be able to send a message that Trump is on his own. Look at the name of the bill – Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable Former Protectees Act — or the DISGRACED Former Protectees Act. DISGRACED. Unbelievable.
Trump is entitled to Secret Service protection as both a former president and a current presidential candidate. Thompson wants to change that. He is so Trump-deranged that it looks like he wishes death to the former president. What other conclusion can be drawn from all this insanity? Politically motivated trials aren’t enough for Democrats. Nothing will be enough when it comes to Trump.
Democrats are pretending it isn’t about Trump, it is the same for any person convicted of a crime punishable by at least a year in prison.
Democrats who back the new bill said they believe the legislation is legal and constitutional. They dismissed ex post facto concerns, saying that legal doctrine barring changing the rules after the fact applies only in cases where the law is meant to be punitive.
Mr. Thompson argues his bill isn’t about punishment but rather about settling the details of custody.
Though aimed at Mr. Trump, the bill’s language would include anyone under Secret Service protection who is convicted of a crime punishable by at least a year in prison, which is generally the federal definition of a felony offense.
Sure, Bennie. We see you.