The nation’s attention is captivated by former President Donald Trump’s ongoing criminal hush money trial in Manhattan, an undercurrent of logistical and unprecedented planning is quietly taking place within the U.S. Secret Service. As the agency tasked with the protection of current and former presidents, it finds itself in the uncharted waters of potentially protecting a former president within the confines of a prison.
According to officials familiar with the situation, the Secret Service has held meetings and begun contingency planning for what to do if Trump were held in contempt and sent to short-term confinement during his trial. “Officials do not necessarily believe Merchan would put Trump in a holding cell in the courthouse but they are planning for contingencies,” said one of the officials.
The contemplation of these scenarios is not entirely without cause. Assistant District Attorney Chris Conroy indicated a pivot toward a more serious stance in court, stating, “We are not yet seeking an incarceratory penalty, but the defendant seems to be angling for that.” This comment came following Trump’s multiple alleged violations of a gag order that limits his public discourse on witnesses, jurors, and lawyers involved in the case other than Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Officials do not believe Merchan would put Trump in a holding cell in the courthouse but they are planning for contingencies, the officials said. The Secret Service, though detailed in its preparation methods, remains tight-lipped about specific operational plans.
“Under federal law, the United States Secret Service must provide protection for current government leaders, former Presidents and First Ladies, visiting heads of state and other individuals designated by the President of the United States,” the agency said in a statement. “For all settings around the world, we study locations and develop comprehensive and layered protective models that incorporate state of the art technology, protective intelligence and advanced security tactics to safeguard our protectees.
These are the initial steps for possible short-term detention, the much more intricate challenge of preparing for extended imprisonment has not been openly discussed. However, the fact remains that Trump, who is being tried for felony charges related to falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment, could potentially receive various sentences if found guilty.
The trial has already been filled with drama, as Trump’s defense attorneys have contended that the gag order was unclear and that Trump’s social media posts were not intentional violations but rather defensive reactions to criticism. Additionally, tensions in the courtroom have risen amid reports that Judge Juan Merchan showed frustration towards Trump’s lawyers due to their lack of clarity regarding the gag order.
Amid the unfolding courtroom battle, discussions have taken place involving the Secret Service, court officers, and even the New York City Department of Corrections on what to do if Trump is jailed for contempt of court, officials familiar with the plans tell CNN. This would be a challenging task for the Secret Service to balance its protective duties with the limitations of a prison setting.
Representative Bennie Thompson has proposed the DISGRACED Act, which seeks to revoke Secret Service protections from individuals convicted of a federal or state felony with a minimum one-year prison term, potentially affecting Trump if approved.
Relevant articles:
– Secret Service prepares for if Trump is jailed for contempt in hush money case, abcnews.go.com, 04/24/2024
– Report: Secret Service preparing for Trump contempt order, short-term confinement, Washington Times, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 21:39:22 GMT
– Day 6 of Trump New York hush money trial, CNN, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 22:28:00 GMT
– New bill would remove Trump’s Secret Service protection if he is found guilty, Straight Arrow News, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:23:32 GMT
– Could Trump Go to Prison? If He Does, the Secret Service Goes, Too, Yahoo Singapore News, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 03:31:23 GMT