Former President Donald Trump (R) dodged an assassination attempt on his life on Saturday after a gunman shot and nearly killed him at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. President Trump’s right ear was pierced by a bullet, millimeters from an even more catastrophic event. Sadly, an audience member was killed and two spectators were critically injured. Secret Service killed the gunman.
The attempted assassination has brought the Secret Service's capabilities and bandwidth into question, and it brought to light a recently filed legislative measure that specifically called for the removal of President Trump's presidential security detail.
In April, Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) and 9 other House Democrats sponsored and co-sponsored the Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable (DISGRACED) Former Protectees Act.
This bill would remove Secret Service protection “for those who have been sentenced to prison following a conviction for a Federal or State felony—clarifying that prison authorities would be responsible for the protection of all inmates regardless of previous Secret Service protection.” This is according to Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the original sponsor of the legislation.
In short, the main intention of the bill is to strip the Secret Service away from former President Trump should he serve prison time. For those who don’t know, violence regularly occurs in prisons despite the presence of correctional officers, including death.
Depleting the Secret Service for a former President in jail could result in a fate worse than Saturday’s incident.
Following the assassination attempt on President Trump on Saturday, Rep. Wilson wrote this on social media, despite calling for his Secret Service protections to end should he spend time in prison:
Political violence is never the answer and every political leader must make that crystal clear.
Our country cannot delve into one where we attack political leaders.
Wishing Former President Trump a speedy recovery!
— Rep. Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) July 14, 2024
“Political violence is never the answer and every political leader must make that crystal clear. Our country cannot delve into one where we attack political leaders. Wishing Former President Trump a speedy recovery!”
The DISGRACED Act was brought to the House floor in April. No action has been taken on it since.
The Floridian asked Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) for his thoughts concerning the bill following the attempted assassination of President Trump. He stated, “All former presidents deserve Secret Service protection. This bill should be withdrawn.”
In addition, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D) sided with Rep. Moskowitz and House Republicans in reiterating support for Secret Service protection for all former Presidents and calling out fellow members of Congress who "fan" the "flames" of violence.
“I strongly condemn the growing violence in politics and those who fan its flames. Given our current political environment and the lack of gun restrictions, it is crucial for all high-ranking officials, including former Presidents, to be protected by the Secret Service. Their safety is vital for safeguarding our democratic processes, national security, and stability. Recent events have emphasized the actual and imminent threats to our leaders, highlighting the need for their protection," said Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick in a written response to The Floridian's request for comment.
Reps. Troy A. Carter Sr., Barbara Lee, Frederica Wilson, Yvette D. Clarke, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jasmine Crockett, Joyce Beatty, and Steve Cohen, all co-sponsored the bill.
Publisher Javier Manjarres contributed to this story
