In the wake of the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a recent Democratic-sponsored bill has become the center of a heated political controversy.
A Democratic lawmaker in the U.S. House quietly tried to strip Trump of his Secret Service protection just weeks before he was nearly assassinated. Now, furious Republicans have raised questions about the security of former presidents — and are calling for at least one Democratic lawmaker to resign.
The bill, dubbed the “Denying Certain Felons Secret Service Protection” [DISGRACED Protection Act], was explicitly designed with Trump in mind and was proposed immediately following his controversial conviction on 34 felony counts in New York.
The timing of this proposal, coming just months before the near-fatal attack on Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, has led to intense backlash.
On July 13, a gunman fired multiple shots at the former president, grazing his ear and killing one attendee while injuring two others. This incident has dramatically shifted the political landscape, with Trump’s election odds reportedly jumping to as high as 71 percent in its aftermath.
Crockett fired back at her critics, dismissing them as “losers” seeking “Twitter clout” and accusing them of exercising “white privilege” in attempting to influence her position. She defended her attempt to remove Trump’s Secret Service detail just weeks before he was nearly murdered.
Oh the evil & illogical who don’t even serve on my level believe they have sway or authority over me (insert white privilege).
While I’ve been out of the country on official business, these losers have been looking for Twitter clout.
But I’ll be gracious because I’m sure half… https://t.co/cDtEQ5hzte
— Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) July 17, 2024
The controversial bill never progressed beyond being referred to the House Judiciary Committee and would not have affected Trump unless he were sentenced to prison time, which has not occurred.
Nevertheless, the proposal’s existence and the timing of the assassination attempt have reignited debates about civility and decency among elected officials.
As the 2024 election approaches, this controversy — and the attempted assassination of the Republican presidential candidate — will remain a significant talking point.
The situation also puts Democrats in a challenging position. While many in the party have been vocal critics of Trump, it’s difficult to defend any measure that might have left him more vulnerable.