Democrats want to 'kill' Donald Trump, legal analyst warns

Legal analyst Alan Dershowitz warned Sunday of newly introduced legislation that would strip felons from Secret Service protection, saying Democrats want to “kill” former President Donald Trump. He said he was.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said Friday that ending the incognito “unlimited security and protection assigned to highly disgraced former guardians of convicted criminals” “Act on Denial of Government Resources,'' or defamation law. Service protection for individuals convicted of state or local felonies.

Thompson specifically cited former President Trump as someone whose protective privilege would be affected if he is convicted, as he faces four criminal charges. Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, became the first former president in U.S. history to go on trial in a criminal case that began Monday.

Under investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, Trump was charged in March 2023 with falsifying business records related to hush money he paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. He was indicted. Daniels claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006, which Trump denies. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and said the case against him is politically motivated.

Dershowitz, a constitutional law and criminal lawyer who was a member of Trump's legal team during his first impeachment in 2020, said in an interview Sunday with Newsmax that the proposal, co-sponsored by eight Democratic senators, talked about the bill.

“Benny Thompson, he wants to strip Secret Service protection from Donald Trump… That's if he's convicted of this crime. That means if he goes to prison. If he did, he wouldn't be able to get a job in the Secret Service. What do you think about that?'' host John Glasgow asked.

“That's ridiculous. They want to kill him because he's an obvious target. We live in a time where everyone is at risk. Look, Bobby Kennedy deserves Secret Service protection. But certainly Donald Trump also needs Secret Service protection. “He's not going to go to prison, but if he does, he's clearly required by law to have Secret Service protection.'' Dershowitz said.

He added, “The judge [Juan Merchan] We're going to bluff, we're going to fine, we're going to threaten, but we're not going to put Donald Trump in jail. That would be a sure win…I don't think it will happen. ”

The bill's eight Democratic co-sponsors are Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana, Rep. Barbara Lee of California, Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida, Rep. Yvette Clark of New York, and Rep. Bonnie Watson of New Jersey. Coleman, Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, Joyce Beatty of Ohio, and Steve Cohen of Tennessee.

However, the bill only applies to individuals who have committed crimes “punishable to imprisonment for at least one year.”

Thompson argued that current law does not address how or whether Secret Service protection would be provided if President Trump or anyone currently in need of protection were sentenced to prison. did.

“As a result, the current law could create obstacles to the equal administration of justice and create logistical problems for both the Secret Service and prison authorities at the federal and state levels,” he said.

newsweek We reached out to Thompson's office and Trump's press secretary via email.

Additionally, a source from Mr. Thompson's office previously said: newsweek He said the bill would affect anyone convicted of a felony and under Secret Service protection, adding: “No one should receive special treatment, and that happens to include a former president.” added.

Secret Service protection for presidents, other senior officials, and the families of some of these officials dates back to 1901. After the assassination of Sen. Robert F. in 1968, protections were extended to presidential candidates of major political parties.

This frustrates Sen. Kennedy's son, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In late March, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas denied the protection request for the fifth time.

Kennedy Jr. called the decision “politically motivated.”

Key presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses would also be provided Secret Service protection within 120 days after the general election.