“Trump’s Secret Service Protection Could Be Removed” Marjorie Taylor Greene Warns of Dangers if Trump is Imprisoned
Photograph: Alyssa Pointer/Reuters
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) expressed alarm this week, warning that former President Donald Trump could be in grave danger if he is sentenced to prison following his conviction on 34 felony counts in New York.
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Tuesday, Greene criticized Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) for proposing a bill that would strip Trump of his Secret Service protection if he were to be imprisoned. “Trump’s Secret Service protection could be removed under Bennie Thompson’s proposed legislation,” Greene told the committee. “This legislation was introduced while the politically weaponized government was prosecuting former President Donald Trump.”
Greene highlighted the dangers of prison, stating, “I’d also like to state for the record for this committee that over 140 inmates are murdered in prison every single year. This is a dangerous place. Prison is, and of course, an 8% of violence in prison leads to the murder of inmates.” She urged for the bill’s withdrawal, emphasizing, “This legislation is reckless, and the minority ranking member needs to withdraw this legislation that would lead to the murder of President Trump.”
Democratic committee members called for Thompson to respond, but Chairman Mark Green (R-TN) refused to engage in a debate. “We’re not going to debate,” Green said. “There’s a difference of opinion, I suppose.”
In response to Greene’s concerns, Thompson issued a statement clarifying the intent of his bill. He explained that the legislation would not have impacted the Secret Service’s ability to protect Trump during events like the rally in Pennsylvania where Trump was nearly assassinated. “My bill would not have affected the Secret Service’s presence during this tragic event. It aims to clarify lines of authority when a protectee is sentenced to prison and is in the custody of another law enforcement agency,” Thompson stated. “That does not apply to the former President.”
As the debate continues, Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for September 18, adding urgency to the discussions surrounding his security arrangements. The potential removal of Secret Service protection raises significant concerns about the safety of a former president in the hostile environment of a prison.
This issue has sparked intense debate within the Homeland Security Committee, highlighting the complexities and dangers involved in handling the imprisonment of a former president. With differing opinions on the bill and its implications, Trump’s safety and security remain contentious as the date of his sentencing approaches.
