President Donald Trump casually threatened to “destroy” the career of a Texas state senator who suggested introducing a law that would require a suspected criminal’s conviction before having their assets seized.
Trump was speaking with Sheriff Harold Eavenson of Rockwell Country, along with a selected group of other sheriffs who expressed support for his policies, to discuss immigration issues at the White House Tuesday.
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Eavenson was complaining to Trump of a Texas senator who dared to suggest introducing legislation that would require a criminal conviction before “we can receive that forfeiture money”.
“Can you believe that?” Trump interjected with a huff before Eavenson went on to clarify that he told the senator “the cartel would build a monument to him in Mexico if he could get that legislation passed”.
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“Who is the state senator, do you wanna give his name?” Trump asked. When Eavenson remained tight-lipped, Trump calmly offered to “destroy his career”. The room erupted into laughter.
Civil forfeiture is a legal process in which law enforcement officers can seize assets from any person suspected of having involvement with a crime or illegal activity, without having to charge the owners of any wrongdoing.