British singer Morrissey said he was questioned by the U.S. Secret Service after he discussed killing President Trump in a recent interview.
The Grammy-nominated former frontman of The Smiths said in a recent YouTube video that he was interviewed by the Secret Service as a result of his comments to Der Spiegel, a German newspaper that published excerpts from the interview on Nov. 18.
On the topic of Mr. Trump, Der Spiegel asked the singer: “If there was a button, and if you press it he drops dead, would you press it or not?”
“I would for the safety of the human race,” Morrissey responded. “It’s nothing to do with my personal opinion of his face or his family, but in the interest of human race I would, yes.”
The singer’s remarks were eventually translated to English and reported by U.S. media outlets several days later.
According to Morrissey, his comments weren’t without consequences.
“As a further result of Der Spiegl, I was cross-examined by the American Secret Service, who were very, very nice. And I do understand their position. So that went very, very well, and they assured me that they have no cause for concern. But it was a direct result of Der Spiegl that I was cross-examined, which is very, very sad,” Morrissey said in a YouTube video uploaded Sunday.
“So congratulations, Der Spiegl,” he said. “You achieved everything that you set out to do. Whether again I’m allowed free access to America, I really don’t know. I have to wait and see if I can enter the country again. If I can’t, I have to say very sincere thanks to everyone who supported me in the U.S.”
The Secret Service declined to weigh in on the singer’s claim when reached for comment.
“The U.S. Secret Service has a robust protective intelligence section that is responsible for the analysis of information, assessment of risk and investigation of threats. The Secret Service does not comment specifically nor in general terms on the means and methods of protective operations, protective intelligence or investigations,” the agency told The Washington Times.
Steven Patrick Morrissey fronted The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, and last month he released his 11th solo album, “Low in High School.” His third solo album, 1992’s “Your Arsenal,” was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album the following year.
Morrissey previously claimed Der Spiegl misrepresented their interview, prompting the newspaper to publish an audio recording earlier this month.
“I think he’s a terrible, terrible scourge, and as I say, he’s the biggest threat to national security in America and consequently to the rest of the world,” Morrissey said of Mr. Trump, according to the audio recording.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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