Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr announced Friday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied his request for Secret Service protection, even though he’s running with “security and safety risks” that are “unique and well-established.”
Kennedy posted on Twitter, saying, “Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection. But not me.”
Kennedy Jr. stated that the Department of Homeland Security disregarded his request for 88 days.
Despite multiple follow-ups from his campaign, Secretary Mayorkas finally responded, “I have determined that Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is not warranted at this time.”
The 2020 Secret Service guidance outlines that the Homeland Security secretary, in consultation with an advisory committee of House and Senate leadership, determines the eligibility of candidates for protection.
The committee is composed of the House speaker, House minority leader, Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader and one additional member chosen collectively.
As per the 2020 guidance, the Secret Service grants protection to “major presidential and vice-presidential candidates and their spouses” within 120 days of a general presidential election.
To qualify as a major candidate, one must maintain an average of at least 15% in established national polls for 30 consecutive days or more.
With the 2024 election still more than 460 days ahead and Kennedy’s polling average currently around 10%, his request for Secret Service protection encompassed a 67-page report from a leading security firm.
The report highlighted well-established risks beyond ordinary death threats.
The 2020 guidance includes specific threats directed at the candidate as one of the criteria used to determine their eligibility for Secret Service protection.
In the recent past, RFK Jr., who holds the belief that the CIA assassinated his uncle, has openly expressed concern about his own safety.
During an interview with podcaster Joe Rogan in June, RFK Jr. acknowledged, “Well, I gotta be careful. I’m aware of that, you know, I’m aware of that danger. I don’t live in fear of it at all. But I’m not stupid about it, and I take precautions.”
NBC reported that both former presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama received Secret Service protection long before the recommended 120 days ahead of a general presidential election.
In the 2024 race, Kennedy Jr. faced significant opposition from Democrats.
Citing analysis from a left-wing dark money group in Great Britain, the Biden administration labeled him as part of the “Disinformation Dozen” early in 2021. This classification was based on his stance against COVID-19 shots.
The Biden administration collaborated with social media platforms to censor RFK Jr. as a result.
WATCH: Joe Biden has been cheating and lying for so long that he's now competing against the son of a man he plagiarized 35 years ago.
Joe Biden should give RFK Jr. Secret Service protection. It's the least he could do for stealing his father's speeches!
(Video: @MazeMoore) pic.twitter.com/5TUzsSYqTS
— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) July 31, 2023
