What happens if you threaten the president

I am not going. If they ever make me carry a rifle the first man I want to get in my sights is L. The Supreme Court ruled his comment about Lyndon B. Donald Trump. Kimberly M.

Aquilina 0. What happens when you threaten the life of the president of the United States? Federal law Threatening the president of the United States is a class E felony. The primary statutes relevant to protection of the President and other Secret Service protectees are as follows: 18 U.

Other relevant statutes include: 18 U. Supervisory authority over 18 U. Authority over 18 U. As of April 24, , all Federal officials covered under 18 U. However, such violent acts must be done "with the intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with" such Federal employee "while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against" such Federal employee. Investigative jurisdiction for violations of 18 U. There is an "Agreement of Procedures" C between the Secret Service and the FBI regarding the transfer of responsibility in the event of the killing of a Secret Service protectee or any other violation of law involving a Secret Service protectee for which the FBI has investigative jurisdiction.

As of July , this agreement remains in effect; however, contact should be made with the Terrorism and Violent Crime Section TVCS to verify the current procedures. CTS should be telephonically notified immediately upon the initiation of any investigation under 18 U.

Media attention given to certain kinds of criminal activity seems to generate further criminal activity; this is especially true concerning Presidential threats which is well documented by data previously supplied by the United States Secret Service. For example, in the six-month period following the March 30, , attempt on the life of President Reagan, the average number of threats against protectees of the Secret Service increased by over percent from a similar period during the prior year.

The United States Attorney must carefully consider the possible adverse effect before releasing information to the public concerning cases and matters involving threats against the President 18 U. This exercise of caution should extend to secondary sources of press information as well search warrants, affidavits, etc. See also Media Guidelines, JM As great caution must be taken in matters relating to the security of the persons protected by 18 U.

For the same reason, dismissal of complaints under 18 U. Title 18 U. The Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division has supervisory authority over matters involving section The Secret Service will conduct investigations of alleged violations of Title 18 U. Inquiries regarding violations of that statute, which violations generally take the form of trespass-like conduct, should be directed to the Office of Enforcement Operations, while inquiries regarding actual or intended violent conduct or acts of terrorism should be directed to the Counterterrorism Section, National Security Division.

If the buildings constituting temporary offices of the President or the President's staff or if a building the President is temporarily visiting is Federal property under the charge and control of the General Services Administration, and disruptive conduct occurs on such property, violators may also be prosecuted for violation of the Rules and Regulations Governing Conduct on Federal Property found in 41 C.

These regulations have been upheld as constitutional against attacks for vagueness and overbreadth. See United States v. Baldwin , F. Cassiagnol , F. Sroka , F. Akeson , F. When a Presidential visit is scheduled, the United States Attorney should be alert to indications of plans by individuals or groups which may result in activity in violation of Title 18 U.

If such activity is anticipated, the United States Attorney should, after consultation with the Secret Service, consider whether preventive measures such as a temporary restraining order would be appropriate, and whether the United States Attorney's Office should be represented at the scene.

The United States Attorney should advise the Office of Enforcement Operations of the Criminal Division as early as practicable of the anticipated activity. Although this provides a roadmap, the studies also signaled a warning: "Assessments of targeted violence pose a significant challenge to law enforcement, mental health, and other professionals.

Nevertheless, those who engage in behavior or communication of concern must be assessed. As with school shooters and others who commit acts of targeted violence, an assessment is key to understanding, yet often those assessments are not done, misunderstood or done after the fact.

Which brings us back to the NRA incident. While this individual may have shown no signs of posing a threat, clearly at the event something triggered his actions. Maybe he said something to someone, maybe he didn't, but a full investigation will make that determination. Although threat assessment is difficult, over the years, the Secret Service protocols have thwarted countless incidents.

As the campaign ramps up, one thing is certain: the threats will roll in and the agents will continue to be the protective line that works to keep them all safe. Donald J. Mihalek is an ABC News contributor, retired senior Secret Service agent and regional field training instructor who also serves as the executive vice president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation.

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