Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to receive Secret Service protection following the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The decision was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during a White House briefing on Monday, citing a heightened and dynamic threat environment.
Despite Kennedy’s status as a long shot for the presidency, his campaign has been advocating for Secret Service protection for almost a year due to various incidents. These incidents include trespassing at Kennedy’s Los Angeles home and an individual showing up armed and impersonating a federal officer at a campaign event.
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The Secret Service is mandated to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates as identified by Mayorkas. However, the Homeland Security secretary has the authority to extend protection to third-party candidates polling at 20% or more for 30 consecutive days. Kennedy is currently polling at around 9.4%.
Despite not meeting the polling criteria, Kennedy has stressed his family’s history of assassination risks, with his father and uncle both being assassinated. President Trump publicly supported the decision for Secret Service protection for Kennedy, emphasizing the family’s historical risks.
Kennedy expressed gratitude for the increased protection from the Secret Service and acknowledged his private security efforts in a social media post.
Thank you to President Biden for granting me Secret Service protection. And I am so grateful to Gavin deBecker & Associates for keeping me safe for the last 15 months of my Presidential campaign.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 15, 2024
Mayorkas also mentioned security adjustments for President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the added protection for Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance. The Secret Service’s protocols have faced scrutiny following the recent incident, prompting an independent review initiated by President Biden.
