The U.S. Secret Service is tasked with protecting the president, whether he’s in the Oval Office or a foreign war zone. However, the agency may face a new challenge if former President Donald J. Trump is convicted at his criminal trial in Manhattan and sentenced to serve time.
Even before the trial began, the Secret Service was preparing for the unprecedented possibility of a former president behind bars. While the judge is more likely to issue a warning or fine for contempt rather than jail time, the agency is considering how to handle such a situation.
Last week, officials from federal, state, and city agencies met to discuss the logistics of moving and protecting Mr. Trump if he were briefly jailed for contempt. However, the bigger challenge of safely incarcerating a former president if convicted has yet to be directly addressed.
Former corrections officials and law enforcement agencies are considering the complexities of keeping Mr. Trump separate from other inmates, screening his personal items, and providing 24/7 protection if he were to be imprisoned.
While the prospect of a former president in prison is uncharted territory, officials are exploring options such as using closed prison facilities to accommodate Mr. Trump and his protective detail.
Protecting Mr. Trump in a prison environment would involve unique challenges, including ensuring his safety, managing logistics, and adhering to security protocols.
Officials are considering various scenarios, including the possibility of appeals that could delay any sentence for months or longer. The case against Mr. Trump involves allegations of falsified records related to a sex scandal, and if convicted, he could face probation or even a prison sentence.
If Mr. Trump were to be elected president again after a conviction, he would not be able to pardon himself due to the state-level prosecution.
The article also explores the potential locations for serving a sentence, such as Rikers Island for shorter terms or state prisons for longer sentences. The former president could also be placed on probation, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Overall, the prospect of a former president in prison poses unprecedented challenges for law enforcement agencies and prison officials. The situation is complex and uncharted, requiring careful planning and coordination to ensure the safety and security of all involved parties.
Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.
