UPDATE: Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy will be given Secret Service protection following an announcement from Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.
"In light of this weekend's events, the President has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy, Jr.," Mayorkas said at a press conference on July 15.
Kennedy thanked Biden for the additional security detail.
"I am so grateful to Gavin deBecker & Associates for keeping me safe for the last 15 months of my Presidential campaign," said the former Democrat on X.
Earlier today, President Donald Trump called for Secret Service protection to be offered to Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The attempted assassination of President Trump on July 13 shocked many and increased support for government protection for Kennedy, which the Biden administration previously denied.
“In light of What’s going on in the world, today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection – immediately,” said Trump in a Truth Social post on July 15. “Given this history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!”
“It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one's protection. Maybe our country can unite after all,” Kennedy wrote on X.
His remarks come almost one year after Kennedy first announced President Joe Biden’s administration had denied his request for Secret Service protection. Kennedy is the son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968. His father’s death prompted the federal government to extending protection to presidential candidates.
According to the agency, agents can be assigned to protect a major presidential candidate, a vice presidential candidate and their spouses during the final 120 days before the general election. Secret Service notes that it does not decide who is considered a major candidate and that the determination is made by an advisory committee comprised of the Speaker of the House, House Minority Whip, Senate Majority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader. The committee also selects one additional member.
The Biden administration had previously rejected at least three requests for Secret Service protection according to Fox News.
Trump joined a growing crowd of officials and political commentators calling for the Biden administration to authorize the federal agency to protect Kennedy.
“It’s long past time for Biden to put pettiness aside and grant Secret Service protection to [Robert Kennedy Jr],” Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky posted on X three and a half hours after the attack on Trump.
Just over 20 minutes later, Colorado Governor Jared Polis also posted a message asking Biden to “immediately provide secret service protection” to Kennedy.
“The Biden Administration should immediately provide Secret Service protection to RFK, Jr. it should have been done a long time ago,” wrote Ari Fleischer, who served as White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush, on X.
“RFK Jr. needs Secret Service protection. ASAP. It's completely unacceptable that it has been witheld, especially given his family history,” wrote TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk.
RFK Jr.’s son slammed the Secret Service in the wake of the attack on Trump in Pennsylvania.
“Unsecured rooftop 150 yards away. Multiple witnesses saying they were screaming at secret service and cops for 3-4 minutes as they watched the guy with the rifle crawl to the spot and line up his shot,” said Bobby Kennedy Jr. on X on July 13. Take your secret service and shove it up your ass. Prayers to Trump and his family.”
Kennedy called for “every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.” He also praised a statement from former First Lady Melania Trump.
“Let all Americans remember that their opponents are full, precious human beings,” he wrote on X.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article did not include comments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
