Don’t laugh it off
Senator to Trump: Boost security after prank
Bob Menendez doesn’t want the White House to get fooled again.
The longtime New Jersey Democrat, in his first public comments since comedian John Melendez prank called President Trump posing as him, said Tuesday he hopes the White House will “dramatically change” its security protocols in response to the snafu.
“It’s concerning to me that the most powerful man in the world, the President of the United States, could have a shock-jock comedian get through to him and speak to him on Air Force One,” Sen. Menendez told CNN’s Erica Hill.
Melendez, best known for his “Stuttering John” alterego and appearances on Howard Stern’s radio show, got Trump on the phone on Friday after calling the White House switchboard pretending to be Menendez. After getting transferred to several administration officials — including Jared Kushner — Melendez finally got Trump on the line while he was onboard Air Force One en route back to Washington from a rally in North Dakota.
Melendez got Trump to talk about his administration’s widely despised “zero tolerance” policy on immigration, which has resulted in thousands of migrant kids getting split from their undocumented parents at the country’s southern border. They also discussed the Supreme Court vacancy Trump is hoping to fill.
“They reality is while it may have been a joke to him, the subject matter they are talking about is very serious,” the real Sen. Menendez said of the prank call. “Dividing of children from their parents, the Supreme Court nominee who will make a generational difference in the court, against the interests of affordable health care, against the interest of reproductive rights.”
A White House official made an unusual admission of error after Trump’s phone call with Melendez, characterizing the mix-up as the “downside” of the President wanting to be “accessible” to members of Congress.
Melendez’s prank took on renewed significance after he said Secret Service agents came knocking on his door over the weekend.
Melendez subsequently contracted high-profile attorney Michael Avenatti — who’s best known for representing porn star Stormy Daniels in her various court challenges against Trump.
Avenatti confirmed to the Daily News on Tuesday afternoon that the Secret Service has launched an investigation into Melendez’s call to Trump.
But the telegenic lawyer said he doubts the investigation will result in any charges.
“We are hopeful that this does not become a personal vendetta, like with so many other things with this President,” Avenatti told The News.