Last week, Representative Lance Gooden (R-TX) introduced a bill to include the death penalty as a potential punishment for those who attempt to assassinate the president.
The Protect the Presidency Act comes just a few weeks after the most recent attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Apr. 26, as well as various other acts of political violence.
Current federal law allows the death penalty or life in prison for killing the President, while attempting to assassinate the President carries a lighter sentence, ranging from years in prison to life. This legislative effort would let prosecutors seek the harshest federal penalties available, including the death penalty.
“A failed assassin is still an assassin and should be treated as such under the law,” Rep. Gooden said. “The harshest punishments should be on the table for those who try to murder the President.”
But Rep. Gooden is not the only House of Representatives member who is calling for harsher punishments for presidential assassination attempts.
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) also introduced the Zero Tolerance for Political Assassins Act last week, which would mandate 25 years to life imprisonment for individuals who attempt to assassinate federal politicians.
Rep. Carter said this bill is more than just about protecting the president.
“The cowards who carry out acts of political violence are the greatest threats to democracy,” Rep. Carter said. “My bill ensures they face proper justice and the full weight of the law.”
The recent assassination attempt against President Trump was one of three over the course of 21 months.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) said, as political violence continues to rise in the U.S., our ability to engage in civil discourse and debate erode.
“For our democracy to survive—and even flourish—we must renounce every manifestation of violence and hate,” Rep. Smith said.
Rep. Laurel Lee (R-CA) echoed a similar sentiment, adding that the latest assassination attempt should be viewed as opportunity for our country to come together.
“What happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is a stark reminder that we must come together as a country, reject hatred and division and reaffirm that violence has no place in America,” Rep. Lee said.
