Legal analyst Alan Dershowitz warned on Sunday about newly introduced legislation that would strip felons of Secret Service protection, saying that Democrats want former President Donald Trump "killed."
Representative Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, brought forth the "Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable Former Protectees Act"—or the DISGRACED Act—on Friday that would terminate Secret Service protection for individuals convicted of either state or local felonies.
Trump is specifically mentioned by Thompson as someone whose protection privileges would be affected should he be found guilty as the former president faces four criminal indictments. Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, became the first former president in U.S. history to stand trial in a criminal case that began on Monday.
Following an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, Trump was indicted in March 2023 on charges of falsifying business records relating to hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Daniels alleges that she had an affair with Trump in 2006, which he has denied. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and said the case against him is politically motivated.
In a Sunday interview with Newsmax, Dershowitz, a member of Trump's legal team during his first impeachment in 2020 who is also a constitutional law and criminal lawyer, discussed the legislation, which is co-sponsored by eight Democratic representatives.
"Bennie Thompson, he wants to strip Donald Trump of Secret Service protection...that's if he's convicted of this crime. So he would not have Secret Service if he's behind bars. What do you make of that?" host Jon Glasgow asked.
"That's ridiculous, that means they want him killed because he's obviously a target. We live in an age where everybody is in danger. Look, Bobby Kennedy ought to be getting Secret Service protection, but certainly Donald Trump needs to get Secret Service protection. He's not going to jail, but if he goes to jail obviously the law requires Secret Service protection," Dershowitz said.
He added: "The judge [Juan Merchan] is going to bluff, fine and threat, but he's not going to throw Donald Trump in jail. That would be a guaranteed victory...I don't think it's going to happen."
The eight Democratic co-sponsors of the bill are: Representatives Troy Carter of Louisiana, Barbara Lee of California, Frederica Wilson of Florida, Yvette Clarke of New York, Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, Jasmine Crockett of Texas, Joyce Beatty of Ohio, and Steve Cohen of Tennessee.
However, the bill would pertain only to an individual whose offense "is punishable for a term of imprisonment of at least one year."
Thompson had argued that current law does not contemplate how or whether Secret Service protection should or would occur in the instance that Trump or anyone else currently requiring protection is sentenced to prison.
"As a result, current law may serve as an impediment to the equal administration of justice and present logistical difficulties for both the Secret Service and prison authorities at the Federal and State levels," he said.
Newsweek has reached out to Thompson's office and Trump's spokesperson via email
In addition, a source in Thompson's office previously told Newsweek that the bill would affect anyone who is sentenced for a felony and would otherwise have Secret Service protection, adding: "Nobody should have special treatment, and that happens to include the former president."
Secret Service protection for presidents, other high-level officials and select family members of those officials dates to 1901. Following the assassination of Senator Robert F. in 1968, protection was expanded to major-party presidential nominees.
That has irked independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senator Kennedy's son. In late March, for the fifth time, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas denied his request for protection.
Kennedy Jr. called the decisions "politically motivated."
Major presidential and vice presidential candidates, along with their spouses, are also offered secret service protection within 120 days of a general election.
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Natalie Venegas is a Weekend Reporter at Newsweek based in New York. Her focus is reporting on education, social justice ... Read more
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