The Biden administration has once again denied Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s request for Secret Service protection, marking the third refusal for the independent presidential candidate. This decision was detailed in a letter from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, as reported by Deseret News.
In the letter, Mayorkas, after consulting with an advisory committee including key congressional leaders, concluded that Secret Service protection for Kennedy, whose family history includes the tragic assassinations of his father and uncle, is currently unnecessary.
Federal law provides for Secret Service protection to presidential and vice-presidential candidates deemed “major” by the DHS secretary in collaboration with Congress. However, the criteria for being a major candidate seem ambiguous. Despite a Politico headline in November indicating Kennedy’s significant polling figures against Biden and Trump, this has not swayed the decision.
Kennedy, in an October interview with Deseret News, expressed his frustration over the matter. He is currently spending $2 million on private security, a significant financial burden that he believes is impacting his campaign efforts. Kennedy views the DHS’s decision as politically motivated and indicative of law enforcement agencies being used to further political agendas.
Kennedy’s campaign has faced serious security challenges, including death threats and attempts to compromise his safety. Notable incidents include an arrest for a break-in attempt at Kennedy’s home and the apprehension of an armed individual impersonating a U.S. marshal at a campaign event.
Amid these concerns, sources close to Kennedy’s campaign have indicated that a fourth request for Secret Service protection will soon be submitted to the DHS.