Secret Service clears Nugent after interview
(CNN) - The U.S. Secret Service said Thursday that it has resolved any questions regarding rocker Ted Nugent, whom its agents interviewed after he said he would be "dead or in jail" if President Barack Obama were re-elected.
"The issue has been resolved," and the agency "does not anticipate any further action," Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary told CNN after the interview.
Earlier Thursday, Nugent issued a statement of his own, writing, "I met with two fine, professional Secret Service agents in OK today." The musician was in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to perform a concert.
Nugent described the as a "good, solid, professional meeting concluding that I have never made any threats of violence towards anyone. The meeting could not have gone better. I thanked them for their service, we shook hands and went about our business. God bless the good federal agents wherever they may be."
The interview came amid outcry over comments Nugent made at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, which took place in St. Louis, Missouri, this past weekend.
"If Barack Obama becomes the president in November again, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year," Nugent said, according to a video that the NRA posted on YouTube. "If you can't go home and get everybody in your lives to clean house in this vile, evil, America-hating administration, I don't even know what you're made out of."
The video has since been removed.
Many have questioned whether Nugent was alluding to violence against the president.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, solicited donations from supporters using the comments, calling them "despicable, deplorable and completely beyond the pale."
A U.S. official said Wednesday that Secret Service policy is to acknowledge every American's right to free speech while still determining an individual's intent.
Nugent's comments sparked particular furor because the musician and activist has endorsed GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul responded to comments from Nugent on Tuesday, saying "divisive language is offensive no matter what side of the political aisle it comes from."
"Mitt Romney believes everyone needs to be civil," she added.
CNN's Jason Morris, Jessica Yellin, Javi Morgado and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
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Bite me Debbie Wasserman! You are such a "loser"!
Let's not forget: YOU HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING PRETTY DAMN STUPID TO END UP WITH THE SECRET SERVICE AT YOUR DOOR IN THE FIRST PLACE. The Nuge is a rancid stain on the nation's political discourse, plain and simple.
Hey Ted, where were you during the Vietnam war ? You sure do talk a big game now about the Military. Those who try to wrap themselves in the service of others should be exposed for what they are; publicity seeking Rip Offs !
Legally speaking word for word he never threatened Obama, but the intent was there. He's just lucky that when he was shooting off his fool mouth that he didn't say that he would himself do it. Unfortunately unlike lawyers and judges who have to abide by laws his gun toting ignoramus fans can read between the lines.
Tough guy can't stand behind what he said? He's just another loudmouth coward. He loved America so much. He ducked the draft.
this guy 's comments were plain sick and disgusting, but to me the scary part was the audience that was there cheering and clapping and agreeing with him. Even some posters on this site were saying stuf like "GO TED" or "TED'S RIGHT".Now he's going to say he threatened nobody and this of course will all blow over, but there are some nutjobs out there on the far right that like this stuff and guess what, most of them own GUNS! And it seems more right wingers are reactionary moreso than thinking things through or factcheckers.
Nugent cannot even sing. Now he is backing off his comment. He is a coward who when confronted cry's out for his Mama. Another right wing extremist weakling.....
You have to be pretty stupid to think that TN's comments even hinted of hurting the President. You libs are crying crocodile tears!
Gee, amazing how respectful and polite Ted becomes when actually faced with some consequences for his babbaling froth of hate filled rhetoric...not so tough without your guns huh Ted?
"If Barack Obama becomes the president in November again, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year," Nugent said
It certainly sounds to me as though Nuggets is stating that 6 months after President Obama's election, he, Nuggets will be dead because of a failed assassination attempt or in jail because of a successful assassination attempt.
right. he never flat out stated that he would murder anyone. only implied it. the republican clown show continues.
breaking news Nugent never made any threats towards anyone. Only buffoons who cant understand words thinks he did.
Nugent is a wacko. If Mitt Romney wants to hitch his wagon to this guy then more power to him I guess.
Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul responded to comments from Nugent on Tuesday, saying "divisive language is offensive no matter what side of the political aisle it comes from."
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The point is it came from YOUR side and Romney is too spineless to say anything.........Romney needs these nutcases for the election, he will say ANYTHING to be elected...........Can't wait for the political ads that show Mittens taking both sides of numerous issues.......He is one pathetic candidate.............
Oh how funny....he was all hot air when he was making his comments about the President, but now that the SS showed up at his door he is all like God Bless the SS....lol...just as I suspected all bluff
Why are citizens of the U.S. allowed to talk about Obama like this. It just makes the U.S. look so bad!
The guy who wrote Wango Tango is discussing politics? Well, let me pull up a stump and giv' 'em a listen!!
@ sniffut all you need is a red light and you will get all the secret servicemen you want
He's a loser, just the the candidate he supports.
It's nuts that we have allowed the trained monkeys in the entertainment world to have any influence on politics. I mean all of them no matter where they sit on the political spectrum. Most of them are uneducated to begin with.
Ted Is right on!!!
He is your President. Why no respect? Horrible! Americans have more respect for the voted on American Idol, the the voted as President.
Obama 2012! The Repubs had better get it together for 2016.
Please let this one-hit wonder fade back into the obscurity he deserves.
The Nuge is a person who believes in personal responsibility, the right to freedom, and the right to pursue happiness. Your rights only go so far as to when they invade another's rights. Socialism takes away rights and freedoms so that the people who are willing to strive for a better life support those who aren't. A call to political action using metaphors is basic english. I think you should have been a stain on the sheets.