The Secret Service, the federal agency responsible for protecting high-level government officials, has launched an investigation into statements made by actor John Schneider against President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Schneider, known for his roles in "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Smallville," called for the execution of the President and his son in a now-deleted post on social media.

The controversy erupted shortly after Schneider's appearance on the Season 10 finale of "The Masked Singer," where he failed to secure a win. Following his televised disappointment, the vocal conservative actor took to social media, expressing his belief that President Biden and Hunter Biden should be executed by hanging for their alleged treason. However, Schneider swiftly deleted the post.

In response to the backlash, Schneider vehemently denied making any threats against the President's life. He argued that his comments were taken out of context and clarified that he was expressing his concern about corruption within the nation's leadership. The actor insisted that there was no implied or explicit threat in his statement.

While both the White House and the Secret Service have refrained from commenting on the investigation, sources close to the matter confirmed that a probe is underway. The Secret Service investigates all potential threats against the President and other protectees, and in this case, the agency has deemed Schneider's statement to fall under the definition of a threat.

If the government determines that the threat was genuine, Schneider could potentially face serious legal consequences. Threatening the President is a federal Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. A conviction may also lead to restrictions on Schneider's online activities and years of supervised release.

It is worth noting that Schneider, a former contestant on "Dancing with the Stars," has faced legal issues in the past. In 2018, he served a short jail sentence for failing to pay alimony to his ex-wife. Additionally, he recently lost his wife and manager, Alicia Allain, to breast cancer.

As the investigation into John Schneider's controversial statements unfolds, the authorities will assess whether his comment can be reasonably perceived as a genuine threat and whether there is evidence of intent to harm the President or his family. The outcome of the investigation will determine the potential legal repercussions that Schneider may face.