Finally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be protected by the Secret Service.
Kennedy will receive Secret Service protection, according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, two days after a lone shooter nearly killed Donald Trump during a Pennsylvania campaign event.
“I appreciate that President Biden has given me security from the Secret Service.”
Mayorkas stated from the White House, “The president has asked me to liaise with the Secret Service to protect Robert Kennedy Jr. in light of this weekend’s events.”
Mayorkas said that RFK Jr. received security “both prior to and after the events of this past weekend,” at the behest of President Joe Biden.
For RFK Jr., personal safety is of the utmost importance while campaigning. The assassinations of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, in November 1963, and his father, Robert F. Kennedy, occurred in June 1968 while they were on the campaign road.
The Biden administration has refused to provide RFK Jr. with Secret Service security at least five times, most recently in March, despite that sad past.
Legally speaking, the Secret Service must safeguard “important presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election,” according to the organization’s website. Although the majority of independent candidates never gain protection, RFK Jr. is an exception. In fact, he often receives between 9% and 10% of national votes, which is noteworthy, and his campaign events generate sizable attendance.
Monday’s declaration followed shortly after Trump demanded that the Biden administration defend RFK Jr.
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should have Secret Service security right away, in my opinion, given the current state of affairs around the globe. This is obviously the correct thing to do, especially considering the Kennedy family’s past,” stated Trump.
A group of legislators from both parties pledged a day earlier to increase security for RFK Jr., Biden, and Trump.
RFK Jr. expressed gratitude for Biden’s decision on his behalf.
In a statement, he thanked President Biden for providing him with Secret Service security. “I express my sincere gratitude to Gavin deBecker & Associates for ensuring my safety over the final quarter of my presidential campaign.”
According to Gavin de Becker, who spoke with Politico recently, RFK Jr.’s campaign incurred private security expenses of around $6 million.
