Sherrill has introduced a three-page bill called the Guarding United States Against Reckless Disclosures (GUARD) Act. This bill aims to prevent the president, vice president, members of Congress, and federal candidates from accessing classified information if they are charged with obstructing an official proceeding, unlawfully retaining classified defense information, or acting as a foreign agent, among other criminal offenses.
Both Menendez and Trump, who are currently facing a total of 109 criminal charges, will be impacted by the legislation. It is important to note that the legislation does not mention their names directly, but its language is specifically designed to address their situations. It is worth mentioning that both Menendez and Trump have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
In her statement on Thursday, Sherrill did not mention Menendez but made it clear that her bill was crafted with Trump in mind.
“As a Navy veteran and former prosecutor, I have absolutely no tolerance for any breach of the public’s confidence, particularly when it involves classified information and the security of our nation,” she declared.
“I am deeply worried about the recent charges against Donald Trump and his persistent determination to access sensitive classified information, despite his reckless actions and the serious criminal charges he faces,” she expressed her concern.
Trump is currently facing federal charges for willfully retaining national defense information and corruptly concealing a document or record. Additionally, he is being charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.
Federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York have accused Menendez of conspiring to act as a foreign agent and actually acting as a foreign agent. These are the same criminal charges that Sherrill’s bill identifies as grounds for disqualifying a federal official from accessing classified information.
According to Sherrill, it is important for both parties to consider the urgent legislation that would prevent classified briefings from being given to individuals who are not entitled or legally obligated to receive them. She believes that this step is necessary in order to safeguard intelligence and ensure that sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands.
According to her bill, if an officeholder or candidate is charged with offenses like acting as a foreign agent, obstructing an official proceeding, unlawfully retaining national defense information, or improperly handling classified information, they would lose their access to classified material.
In the months leading up to the general election, it is customary for the presidential candidates of major parties to receive classified information.
Sherrill’s legislation, on the other hand, enables Congress to potentially exempt federal officials and candidates from sanctions if a majority of the House and a two-thirds majority of the Senate vote in favor of it.
If the charges against the covered persons are dismissed or they are found not guilty, they would regain access to classified information, according to the policy.
