FSM President asks Congress to extend security detail to Presidents and Vice Presidents even after their terms are complete

By Bill Jaynes

The Kaselehlie Press

April 8, 2023

FSM— On April 3, 2023, FSM President David W. Panuelo transmitted a bill entitled “Presidential Security Act,” which was submitted to the FSM Congress by Floor Leader Senator Singkor Harper. The bill was accompanied by a letter from the President to Speaker Senator Wesley W. Simina that explained his reasons for the bill.

“By transmitting this bill, I wish to address in particular the heightened personal risks involved of any sitting, outgoing and even former FSM Presidents,” the President’s letter said.

“You will appreciate the sensitivity of the official matters that any FSM President must act and take a decisive action. Many of the official actions of the President affect our nation and people in much more impactful way. The subject matters that President acts upon could also involve international relations with other nations and numerous sensitive matters of national strategic security and international order of such importance and magnitude that could jeopardize the personal safety and security of the President and his family.”

He wrote that he feels that his personal security is severely at “heightened risk” and that those risks would follow him even after his tenure as President.

With that in mind, President Panuelo is requesting that Congress pass a law that would require that a security detail be assigned to FSM Presidents and Vice Presidents not only while they are in office, but also after their term of office.

The President’s now internationally famous letter to the top elected officials of the FSM accusing the Chinese government of espionage and other hostile acts within the FSM also said that he was warning the leaders about the actions despite his own concerns for his and his family’s personal safety.

If Congress decides to pass the bill for an Act in an unchanged manner, the security detail would also be assigned

to At-Large members of Congress as potential Presidents or Vice Presidents during the transition period between an outgoing President and Vice President being selected by the FSM Congress. Two of the current and returning AtLarge representatives to Congress have previously served as the FSM’s President. Sitting FSM Vice President Palik will also be returning as an At-Large representative. Congress Speaker Wesley Simina is the sole At-Large representative who has not served in either capacity.

Though the bill has been introduced to the FSM Congress, that body has not yet voted on whether or not to adopt it in either first or second reading.