New Jersey Representative Mikie Sherrill (D) has introduced a bill that aims to prevent federal officeholders and candidates who face specific criminal charges from accessing classified information. This legislation directly targets former President Trump and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).
Sherrill has proposed a bill called the Guarding United States Against Reckless Disclosures (GUARD) Act, which consists of three pages. This bill aims to prevent the president, vice president, members of Congress, and federal candidates from receiving classified information if they are charged with various criminal offenses. These offenses include obstructing an official proceeding, unlawfully retaining classified defense information, and acting as a foreign agent.
Both Menendez and Trump, despite not being explicitly mentioned in the legislation, are directly affected by its language. These two politicians, who are currently facing a combined total of 109 criminal charges, have both entered pleas of not guilty.
In a statement on Thursday, Sherrill did not specifically mention Menendez but stated that she had President Trump in mind when she crafted the bill.
“As a Navy veteran and former prosecutor, I have absolutely no tolerance for any breach of the public’s trust, particularly when it involves classified information and the security of our nation,” she declared.
She expressed her deep concern over the recent charges against Donald Trump and his persistent eagerness to access highly classified information, despite his reckless behavior and the serious criminal charges he faces.
President Trump is currently facing a number of serious federal charges. These charges include the willful retention of national defense information and the corrupt concealment of a document or record. Additionally, he is accused of conspiring to defraud the United States and conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding.
Federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York have filed charges against Menendez for conspiring to act as a foreign agent and for actually acting as a foreign agent. These charges align with the criminal offenses outlined in Sherrill’s bill, which would disqualify a federal official from having access to classified information.
According to Sherrill, it is important to note that classified briefings are not a right or legal obligation for anyone, including Trump, despite his status as the Republican nominee for president. She emphasizes the urgency of the legislation and argues that both parties should prioritize it as a crucial measure to safeguard intelligence and prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
According to her bill, if an officeholder or candidate is found guilty of charges such as acting as a foreign agent, obstructing an official proceeding, unlawfully retaining national defense information, or improperly handling classified information, they would lose their access to classified material.
Presidential nominees from major parties have a long-standing tradition of being briefed on classified matters in the months leading up to the general election.
Sherrill’s legislation, however, proposes that Congress be given the authority to lift sanctions on federal officials and candidates who are facing charges. This would require a majority vote of the House and a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
If the charges against the covered persons are dismissed or if they are found not guilty, they will regain access to classified information.
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