# Trump, potential incarceration, and Secret Service protection **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [April 19, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506 "2024-04-19T16:05:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/161 "2024-06-05T19:29:26Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t buy the “we can’t absolutely guarantee his security in the general population without packing heat, therefore imprisonment is an impossibility” argument. It is not _impossible._ But Senior Secret Service agent in my cite said it was “problematic” and likely wouldnt happen. Lots of things are _possible_ that are not _practical._ My prediction- Trump will not be sentenced to any more than a year . If he is sentenced it will be under house arrest- perhaps close house arrest (no internet, no phones, no public appearances)- but that is doubtful. The rest will be a suspended sentence. There will be a large fine. The judge will let trumps bail continue during the first appeal, but there might be conditions. However, trump will likely violate everything- bail conditions, suspended sentences, etc- and then- bad things happen. But as for the first sentence- it will not be onerous. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/162 "2024-06-05T19:45:17Z")
Why is it even relevant if the Secret Service (or rather, a few members of it) think it’s problematic? They’re not the ones making the decisions. Judges are. And if the judge decides on prison, then the Secret Service is just going to have to solve those problems. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/163 "2024-06-05T19:54:44Z")
Sure, but This Judge will take that into consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/164 "2024-06-05T20:31:32Z")
Prediction: One year, suspended, followed by two years probation. Conditions for suspended sentence; Trump may not threaten the jury members or witnesses. He will violate this condition in a rally shortly thereafter, and will receive a stern talking to. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/165 "2024-06-05T21:58:57Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > He will violate this condition in a rally shortly thereafter, and will receive a stern talking to. Along with a whopping $10,000 fine. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2024, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/166 "2024-06-05T23:29:03Z")
Not to mention Susan Collins will furrow BOTH brows. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/167 "2024-06-06T01:35:27Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > He will violate this condition in a rally shortly thereafter, and will receive a stern talking to. What motive does Judge Merchan, who’s endured the entire trial with this clown, have to soft pedal him at that point? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/168 "2024-06-06T01:51:38Z")
I suppose Merchan might feel that the purpose in soft pedaling the punishment would be “to change our national focus. . . to shift our attentions from the pursuit of a fallen President to the pursuit of the urgent needs of a rising nation.” and also, “the passions generated by( jailing) him would seriously disrupt the healing of our country from the great wounds of the past.” To quote Gerald Ford ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/169 "2024-06-06T01:57:23Z")
I wonder if we could convince John Oliver to donate the [RV he offered to Clarence Thomas to retire](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/john-oliver-clarence-thomas-million-motorcoach-supreme-court-1234970879/) to the New York prison system, and allow Trump to live in that. Just drain the gas tank and take the tires off of it, and he can stay there. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/170 "2024-06-06T01:59:06Z")
No way to know how Judge Merchan will go with the punishment, but I recently read he’s considered a bit of a hard ass when it comes to imposing punishment for white collar crimes. Made me smile. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/171 "2024-06-06T02:05:30Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > To quote Gerald Ford Not that I know the man personally but he seems to be no Gerald Ford. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/172 "2024-06-06T02:57:46Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > What motive does Judge Merchan, who’s endured the entire trial with this clown, have to soft pedal him at that point? I hope that Merchan’s motive is to do what is best for America. He is not a petty man like Trump , only interested in personal revenge for what he has endured. We Dopers are having fun imagining Trump in an orange jump suit, in jail, or picking up trash along the highway. We can post anything, because we are conveniently hidden and anonymous . But Merchan has real and heavy responsibility to American society , to keep our justice system and political system stable and functioning. Merchan can see the big picture.Trump still has a very real chance of becoming our commander in chief. The best verdict is a compromise as decribed above ( by Euphonius\_P), in the style of Gerald Ford. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/173 "2024-06-06T03:34:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And if the judge decides on prison, then the Secret Service is just going to have to solve those problems. But as I was sort of getting at upthread, if I were a Secret Service agent, I’d be very much of the opinion that no, this is not _my_ problem. The “protect the President (or former POTUS) wherever he/she/they may be” clearly predates the felon ex-President. I’d want to talk to my union rep (assuming the Secret Service has such) and clarify exactly what my role is supposed to be because _this isn’t what I signed up for_. And I know people will say they don’t have a choice. Serve as ordered or quit. Sure, I accept that at face value. But are those the kind of guards you want around this guy? If the Rikers Island Detail is involuntary than Trump won’t be safe because he’s being guarded by people who probably hate him and hate being there. If it is voluntary, it’s going to be hard to find anyone who will want to do it and I’d take a very close look at the motivations of anyone who did sign up. Give the Secret Service the option as to whether or not they want to continue guarding Trump during his custodial sentence and I would not be surprised if it was a unanimous no, fuck him, he’s on his own. Washing their hands of him would be the best thing they could possibly do. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/174 "2024-06-06T03:45:48Z")
Is this the same Secret Service that confiscated rubber chickens and other items when Trump went to the Libertarian Convention? I think any “not my job” complaint from the SS went right out the window after that event. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/175 "2024-06-06T04:00:37Z")
I think history has proven President Ford exactly wrong on this issue. Pardoning Nixon set up increasing criminality in the Presidency, to the point where Trump’s arguments for immunity and unlimited power are taken seriously by far too many officials. The New York case may not be the one for hard time. If Trump does not face serious punishment for interfering with an election for the highest office in the land, a more competent crook will flat out steal the election in ‘28. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/176 "2024-06-06T04:07:07Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > _this isn’t what I signed up for_. When Ronald Reagan was totally senile and incapacitated in a nursing home he still had armed Secret Service protection. I bet none of them signed up for a career path as nursing home guards. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/177 "2024-06-06T04:10:37Z")
This story implies that the Secret Service is acting as if they were part of Trump’s campaign. > **[Secret Service accused of being 'part of the Trump campaign' after latest action](https://www.rawstory.com/trump-secret-service-campaign-chickens/)** > > Some people are wondering if the Secret Service team charged with protecting Donald Trump is just playing politics.Trump recently gave a speech before the Libertarian National Convention, where he begged for the group's nomination despite being booed... ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/178 "2024-06-06T04:27:09Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > I’d want to talk to my union rep (assuming the Secret Service has such) and clarify exactly what my role is supposed to be because _this isn’t what I signed up for_. Sorta. The Union does bargaining, etc, but they cant strike of course > [@DWMarch](#): > > Give the Secret Service the option as to whether or not they want to continue guarding Trump during his custodial sentence Sadly- it is a law. they have to. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/179 "2024-06-06T05:04:33Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > The best verdict is a compromise as decribed above ( by Euphonius\_P), in the style of Gerald Ford. That’s not a compromise. It’s a craven political calculation. Which is all I expect at this point. And as for Nixon: the failure to charge and convict him has led us directly to this shit-show of a traitorous Republican Party who would happily bow to Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506/180 "2024-06-06T14:45:10Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@DWMarch](#): > > > > Give the Secret Service the option as to whether or not they want to continue guarding Trump during his custodial sentence > > Sadly- it is a law. they have to I’m not sure. They don’t follow him into his bedroom at night, but they assure themselves that he’s going to be safe there. I don’t see why it can’t be the same for prison. “We’ll trust the good people at the NY Dept. of Corrections to make sure you’re safe, and we’ll see you again in 12 months.” If shit happens, shit happens. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-potential-incarceration-and-secret-service-protection/1000506.md?page=10)