Rep. Bennie Thompson says he's glad Trump is safe despite doing his best to render him vulnerable

Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the former chair of the January 6 Select Committee, was among a handful of Democrats who rushed to condemn political violence over the weekend after the man they spent years demonizing was nearly murdered by an assassin.

Thompson's comments were poorly received.

Some critics questioned Thompson's sincerity, noting he had led the charge on painting President Donald Trump as an insurrectionist and a traitor. Earlier this month, Thompson also suggested that Trump — whom he previously claimed represents extremism — had dictatorial aspirations, telling CNN, "I don't want my government to become an oppressor. We can't have a president who thinks they are king. He can't be a dictator for a day. He can't get any of that. And so what we have in this person is somebody who basically is not a good person."

Other critics highlighted his staffer's instructions to prospective assassins not to "miss next time." Jacqueline Marsaw resigned from her position on Thompson's team after also writing in response to the attempted assassination, "That's what your hate speech got you!"

Most critics, however, referenced Thompson's recent effort to strip away Trump's U.S. Secret Service protection.

Thompson wrote shortly after the assassination attempt, "There is no room in American democracy for political violence. I am grateful for law enforcement's fast response to this incident."

"I am glad the former President is safe, and my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved," added the Mississippi Democrat, up for re-election in November.

While Thompson is supposedly now glad that Trump is safe, he introduced a bill on April 19 entitled the Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable Former Protectees Act — which he shortened to the "DISGRACED Former Protectees Act."

Democratic Reps. Troy Carter (La.), Barbara Kee (Calif.), Frederica Wilson (Fla.), Yvette Clarke (N.Y.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.), Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Joyce Beatty (Ohio), and Steve Cohen (Tenn.) were early supporters of the bill.

Thompson released a corresponding fact sheet, which noted, "The United States government has long recognized the need to protect Presidents, former Presidents, other high-level officials, and select family members of those officials from harm."

"Former President Donald J. Trump's unprecedented 91 felony charges in Federal and State courts across the country have created a new exigency that Congress must address to ensure Secret Service protection does not interfere with the criminal judicial process and the administration of justice," continued the fact sheet.

According to Thompson, the provision of Secret Service protection to Trump following a conviction might "serve as an impediment to the equal administration of justice and present logistical difficulties for both the Secret Service and prison authorities."

In light of these imagined challenges, Thompson figured it would be best to terminate Secret Service protection altogether for Trump.

'If you had succeeded, President Trump would be dead.'

Thompson made sure there was no mistaking his aim, explicitly indicating in his fact sheet, "This measure would apply to former President Trump."

While the Secret Service now faces scrutiny about security failures at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, it appears the agents Thompson sought to deny Trump nevertheless acted quickly to shield the Republican as gunshots rang out.

"You tried to strip his secret service protection," Will Chamberlain of the Article III Project wrote to Thompson. "If you had succeeded, President Trump would be dead. Resign."

Donald Trump Jr. tweeted, "Remember, if @BennieGThompson and the Democrats got their way, my dad would be dead right now. Don't let them memory hole it."

Thompson told the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, "My bill would not have affected the Secret Service's presence during this tragic event."

"It aims to clarify lines of authority when a protectee is sentenced to prison and is in the custody of another law enforcement agency. That does not apply to the former President," added Thompson.

Again, Republicans aren't buying what Thompson is selling and have called on him to resign.

Mississippi State Auditor Shad White (R) tweeted, "Bennie Thompson—the Mississippi congressman who tried to strip President Trump of Secret Service protection and whose aide apparently wished on social media that the shooter’s aim had been better—should resign TODAY."

White told the Ledger, "It was completely irresponsible when he proposed legislation to take away President Trump’s Secret Service protection. He is one of the most senior Democrats on the U.S. House Homeland Security committee, so he knows better."

"In my opinion he wanted to endanger President Trump’s life to score some political points," continued White. "He has clearly hired and promoted nut job staffers, as one openly called for President Trump’s assassination. Thompson should resign immediately."

The Mississippi Republican Party similarly called on Thompson to resign Sunday, noting his attempt to remove Trump's Secret Service protection as well as his ex-staffer's recent remarks.

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