Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lashed out at President Joe Biden’s administration for denying him access to Secret Service protection while on the campaign trail ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
According to a report from Deseret News, RFK Jr. had requested protection on the basis that he believed himself to qualify as a “major candidate,” but received a letter from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas telling him — for the third time — that the Biden administration did not agree.
“I have consulted with an advisory committee composed of the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, and the Senate Sergeant at Arms. Based on the facts and the recommendation of the advisory committee, I have determined that Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is not warranted at this time,” Mayorkas wrote in the letter obtained by Deseret.
“Denied Secret Service again!” Kennedy responded to the news in a post on X. “It’s not just about me. It’s another example of weaponization of government against Biden’s political opponents. They know that 30¢ of every campaign dollar goes to keeping me safe.”
Homeland Security gave no explanation for rejecting our application. Law says all “major candidates” get protection. I’m polling 22% (and 40% among young voters — beating both Biden and Trump). My opinion may be biased, but that seems pretty “major” to me.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) December 23, 2023
“Homeland Security gave no explanation for rejecting our application. Law says all ‘major candidates’ get protection. I’m polling 22% (and 40% among young voters — beating both Biden and Trump). My opinion may be biased, but that seems pretty ‘major’ to me,” Kennedy added.
“Biden doesn’t want to provide Secret Service protection because that would only help legitimize RFK’s campaign which is a direct threat to Biden’s,” Paul Szypula posted in response. “It’s never about keeping Americans safe with this current administration — it’s about keeping them controlled.”
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“Major candidates” — and their spouses as well — have been eligible for Secret Service protection since one day after Kennedy’s father was assassinated on June 5, 1968, while campaigning in California. Whether or not a candidate qualifies for such protection is at the discretion of the Homeland Security Secretary.
Typically, major candidates will receive Secret Service protection for one year prior to the election — but the DHS Secretary can extend that protection if circumstances warrant.