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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I'll bet he gave 'em some tips on how to sneak women into hotel rooms too.
Nugent, you should change your name to "nutless". You sound just like your so-called music – a lot of noise but no substance. Shame on you!!!
I look forward to voting Obama out in November.
Nugent is a has-been. Stunts like this are the only way he can keep his name in the public eye; sadly, I've even forgotten that he was a song-writer/musician. I wonder which bothers him most, being a minor talent or being forgotten? But, who really cares ... ?
It's amazing how they turn into a yellow belly coward when cornered. Now Nugent wants God to bless everybody! Scared much????????????
Why would anyone pay much attention to an over the hill hippy rocker. The dumbing of America... It's here and going well.
listen up people... obama's failed economic policies have driven many to suicide because they couldn't find a job and support their families. ted must have been feeling the same pain.
Nugent has obviously been a top student of Romney's Flip Flop N Lie School,because he completely flipped on this one ! Next he will become a mormon.
Gotta love Romney's comment about being civil. Be civil while we lie to you, cheat you, hatemonger and fearmonger you into oblivion. All the while the faithful think Obama's going to take away their toys (guns). Wow, what a poster child for Romeny does Ted make. LOL
Had Ted's rant been made toward Dubya, Ted would already be languishing in some Federal "hotel".
I just took a big Nugent
Ted talks about the power of the Vote to remove a bunch of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats and the left gets their panties in a twist.
Ted Nugent is one of these muscians with no talent that flaps his mouth about how much he dislikes the President...because he's black. That's all it comes down to. He should have put the guitar down a decade ago, and put a gag on 30 years ago.
too much of a self-centered coward to do anything himself...but he seems to enjoy the prospect of setting off some headcase...woulda been a great opening act for a Hitler Youth Rally
Lost all respect for you Ted – first, you were a GOP that made some small inkling of sense when you used to speak, and I gave you respect then. Then you went off the redneck deep end when Obama beat you fair and square. Now you can't back up your idiotic threats, both in reality and in the elections. What a suckup. You lost me as a fan – and you are now nothing more than a GOP Redneck, the lowest form of human on earth.
Hearing his name made me constipated but then I was able to take a big Nugent
I really wish you people would grow up.. Nugent made a stattement YOU all read into it what you wanted and made some of the most vile comments about him I have ever read on here IF you had any shame you should be feeling it now I bet your parents are just so proud of you...NOT.
Nice, orderly, retreat there Ted.
..........To the medody of Oscar Meyer Baloney Song..........My Teddy has a first name, it's Dum gun totin' rant,. ...My Teddy has a second name, its Cant be that dumb, CANT, ...
Big deal. Ted got a little carried away but many share the view that Obama must be voted out in November.
Ted Who?
We havent had this type of division....well never had an African American President. This is new territory for all and many have not been able to embrace it. The comments,the gun carrying, the tea party, etc. or all signs of a people with a lot of anger. Many racist, its true, many effected by economic hardships. I remember when a few men showed up at a rally with rifles. It is reckless on so many levels. Sarah Palin's hit list of Democrats to target. Later the shooting in Arizona. As long there are bums out there that would act on these kind of comments he should be more careful of his words. Especially if he is not going to stand behind them! It goes to show you their are a lot of talented people out there with crap for brains. Leave the hash alone or better yet....stay on the farm!
I look foward to voting Obama back in in November. F- Ted Nugent.
Tomorrow's new: Ted Nugent and secret service caught up in OK cat house scandal.
Romney should not accept his support. Encouraging everyone to be civil and leaving it at that sure gets
Romney off the hook and he doesn't have to say anything against Nuget. And whoever said that Nuget
turned coward is right on-he sure sang a different tune when jail was actually a possibility. . . .shame on him.
We don't need another Giffords incident and he knows exactly what he is doing–besides a little publicity for himself.
This guy is the biggest idiot. Play your "music" and shut up. Nobody cares what you think.