Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced new legislation on Thursday barring federal officials, including former President Donald Trump and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), from viewing classified documents.
The legislation would bar elected officials and candidates who are charged with certain criminal offenses from having access to classified information. The legislation does not name Trump or Menendez, but its implications would directly apply to both of them.
“In public service there’s nothing more important than upholding the oath of office and protecting our national security,” Sherrill said in a statement. “As a Navy veteran and former prosecutor, I have zero tolerance for any betrayal of the public trust, especially when it comes to classified information and our national security.”
While she did not specifically mention the senior senator from her state, she did say charges against Trump influenced her to draft the legislation.
“I’m extremely concerned about recent charges against Donald Trump and his continued desire to access sensitive classified information, despite reckless actions, and serious criminal charges,” she said.
Trump faces a number of federal charges, including willful retention of national defense information and corruptly concealing a document or record. Menendez was indicted last fall for conspiracy to act as a foreign agent and acting as a foreign agent. Menendez has continued to view classified documents while remaining in Congress despite being charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent to Egypt.
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The bill would target those with charges of obstructing an official proceeding, unlawfully retaining national defense information, unlawfully disclosing or improperly handling classified information, acting as a foreign agent, or compromising the national security of the United States.
The legislation would allow Congress to waive the sanctions on federal officials and candidates facing charges via a House majority vote and two-thirds of the Senate.