RFK’s Denied Request for Secret Service Protection
Segment # 161
While many issues we consider today are political, there are some that transcend politics and ultimately are just about right and wrong. Secret Service protection for a presidential candidate is such an issue. Ignoring the Kennedy family’s sacrifices to the country and our current very divisive society is, in my judgment, just pure evil. Biden is threatened by Kennedy and does not want to do anything to legitimize his candidacy. He won’t protect him, and he won’t debate him. Ironically, if something terrible should happen, a good bit of blame will rest with the Kennedy family, who have remained totally silent on the subject of Secret Service protection for their family member. The Kennedy family is certainly not required to support RFK Jr.’s candidacy, but they should want to keep him alive. Pressure from the Kennedys would have made it impossible for Biden to withhold secret service protection.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate for the 2024 election, has been repeatedly denied Secret Service protection by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) despite multiple requests. Federal law authorizes the DHS Secretary to determine which "major" presidential candidates qualify for Secret Service protection after consulting with congressional leaders. The criteria typically considered include the candidate facing credible threats, having a substantial national campaign operation, and meeting specific polling thresholds - for independents, polling at 20% or higher nationally for 30 consecutive days. Kennedy has cited death threats, home intrusions, and his family's history of assassinations as reasons for needing protection, but DHS has determined he does not currently warrant it. Historically, most primary candidates do not receive protection until much closer to the general election. Barack Obama in 2008 was an exception, granted protection very early due to being a leading Black candidate facing unique threats. While Kennedy claims he is the first denied candidate, some notable candidates like Ross Perot in 1992 also campaigned without Secret Service details. Kennedy's campaign has accused the Biden administration of politically motivated decisions and threatened legal action over the denials. However, DHS maintains Kennedy simply does not meet the established criteria at this stage.
The candidate must file for the presidential or vice presidential campaign and meet certain criteria set by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), such as hitting specific polling averages, fundraising numbers, or being recognized as a major candidate in the race.
The Secret Service conducts a threat assessment of general or specific threats directed towards the candidate.
The DHS Secretary, in consultation with a Congressional Advisory Committee (Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, and one additional member), reviews the candidate's eligibility based on the criteria and threat assessment.
If the committee decides to offer the candidate protection, the Secret Service has campaign details ready to deploy for the candidate's protection.
The candidate can either accept or decline the offered protection.
It's important to note that the DHS and Secret Service do not publicly comment on specific requests or denials of protection. Additionally, while candidates can request protection, the decision ultimately lies with the DHS Secretary and the Congressional Advisory Committee based on the established criteria and threat assessment.
Kennedy's campaign paid over $200,000 to Gavin de Becker & Associates in February 2024 alone for security services and associated travel expenses.
As of the end of February 2024, the campaign owed nearly $1.4 million in outstanding debt to de Becker's security firm.
In total, Kennedy's campaign has paid over $2 million to Gavin de Becker & Associates for security since the start of his presidential bid.