Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will receive Secret Service protection following the weekend assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Monday.
On Saturday, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, wounding the former president and killing a rally attendee. In light of recent events, Mayorkas said: Said He told reporters that President Joe Biden had instructed him to provide Secret Service protection for Kennedy.
Kennedy has repeatedly requested Secret Service protection since announcing his candidacy for president but has been denied it. (Related: Forbes quietly removes article asking whether 'surviving a gunfight' could be Trump's 'next appeal to black voters')
“We are in a very dynamic environment with heightened threats. The United States Secret Service, our FBI and other partners across the federal government take threats very seriously and are adjusting security efforts as necessary. Maintaining safety and security at the presidential campaign site, the former president, is one of our top priorities,” Mayorkas told reporters during a White House news conference on Monday. “In light of the events of the weekend, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide security for Robert Kennedy Jr.”
When a political opponent requests protection for someone, it's a sign of hope for our country. Perhaps our country can come together after all. pic.twitter.com/Nfd3yXAh1F
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (@RobertKennedyJr) July 15, 2024
Mayorkas also said Trump's security was a critical priority for the Secret Service, and that the level of protection would be stepped up as Trump becomes the nominee at the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin this week.
Kennedy has repeatedly requested Secret Service protection from the White House since announcing his 2024 presidential run, but the White House has repeatedly refused. In a December 2023 letter to Kennedy, Mayorkas called the request “unjustified.”
Calls for increased security for Kennedy have grown following Saturday's assassination attempt on President Trump.
“Given what is going on in the world right now, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection immediately,” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Monday, hours before Mayorkas' announcement.
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