Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, a former chairman of the Jan. 6 select committee, was one of a handful of Democrats who rushed over the weekend to condemn the political violence after an assassin nearly killed a man they had demonized for years.
Thompson’s comments were not well received.
Some critics have questioned Thompson’s sincerity.
led the attack upon Painting Earlier this month, Thompson, who has long been a critic of Trump, called him an insurrectionist and a traitor. Claimed He represented extremism and had dictatorial ambitions. tell CNN: “I don’t want our government to be an oppressor. We can’t have a president who thinks he’s a king. He can’t be a dictator for a day. We can’t have that. I mean, this guy is fundamentally not a good person.”
Other critics say his staff
Instructions A warning to would-be assassins: “Don’t let me go next time.” Jacqueline Marceau Resigned She resigned from her position on Thompson’s team after responding to the assassination attempt by writing, “This is the result of your hate speech!”
But most critics pointed to Thompson’s recent attempt to strip President Trump of U.S. Secret Service protection.
Thompson
I have written Shortly after the assassination attempt, he said, “There is no place for political violence in our American democracy, and I appreciate the swift police response to this incident.”
“I’m glad the former president is safe and my thoughts and prayers go out to all involved,” added the Mississippi Democrat, who is seeking reelection in November.
Thompson seems pleased that Trump is safe, but on April 19, he wrote: Denying unlimited security and government resources to convicted criminals and former probationers of extremely dishonorable conditions He shortened it to the “Disgraceful Former Protected Persons Act.”
Democratic Representatives Troy Carter (Louisiana), Barbara Key (California), Frederica Wilson (Florida), Yvette Clark (New York), Bonnie Watson Coleman (New Jersey), Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Joyce Beatty (Ohio), and Steve Cohen (Tennessee) were among the bill’s early sponsors.
Thompson released a corresponding fact sheet.
I got it.“The United States government has long recognized the need to protect presidents, former presidents, other senior officials, and some of those officials’ families from harm.”
“The unprecedented indictment of former President Donald J. Trump on 91 felony counts in federal and state courts across the country creates a new emergency that Congress must address to ensure that Secret Service protection does not impede the criminal justice process and the administration of justice,” the fact sheet continues.
Providing Secret Service protection for Trump if convicted, Thompson said, “could interfere with the equal administration of justice and create logistical challenges for both the Secret Service and prison authorities.”
Given these potential difficulties, Thompson thought it would be best to end Secret Service protection for Trump altogether.
“If it had succeeded, President Trump would be dead.”
Thompson made sure his aim was correct by clarifying in his fact sheet that “this measure applies to former President Trump.”
The Secret Service is currently
Under scrutiny Agent Thompson tried to deny Trump’s claims about security failures at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, but appeared to act quickly to protect Republicans when gunshots rang out.
“You tried to strip him of Secret Service protection,” said Will Chamberlain of the Article 3 Project.
I have written He told Thompson: “If you had been successful, President Trump would be dead. Resign.”
Donald Trump Jr.
Tweeted“Remember, if @BennieGThompson and the Democrats had their way, my dad would be dead by now. Don’t let them bottle that up in your memory hole.”
Thompson
Said “My bill would not have affected the Secret Service’s presence during this tragic incident,” the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger reported.
“The purpose is to clarify the line of authority when a protected individual has served a prison sentence and is in the custody of another law enforcement agency. This does not apply to former presidents,” Thompson added.
Again, Republicans are not buying Thompson’s claims and are calling for him to resign.
Mississippi State Auditor Shad White (Republican)
Tweeted“Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, who sought to strip President Trump of Secret Service protection and whose aides wished on social media that the shooter’s aim had been better, should resign today.”
“It was completely irresponsible of him to propose a bill to strip President Trump of his Secret Service protection. He knows better, as he is one of the most senior Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee,” White told the Ledger.
“In my opinion, he was willing to endanger President Trump’s life in order to score political points,” White continued. “He has clearly hired and promoted a staff of cranks, one of whom has openly called for the assassination of President Trump. Thompson should resign immediately.”
The Mississippi Republican Party similarly called on Thompson to resign on Sunday.
Focus on it Such as President Trump’s attempt to remove Secret Service protection and recent comments from former staff members.
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