Democratic presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that he was denied Secret Service protection on Friday, even though his father was assassinated during a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Kennedy, son of former United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, claimed the Department of Homeland Security rejected his request for a Secret Service detail, despite sending a 67-page report that included "unique and well established safety and security risks" from a top security agency.
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"Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection. But not me," RFK Jr. posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "Typical turnaround time for pro forma protection requests from presidential candidates is 14-days. After 88-days of no response and several follow-ups by our campaign, the Biden Administration just denied our request."
Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection. But not me.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 28, 2023
Typical turnaround time for pro forma protection requests from presidential candidates is 14-days. After 88-days of no response and after several…
RFK Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, who was also assassinated in the 1960s, claimed Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas determined "Secret Service protection for Robert F Kennedy Jr is not warranted," despite being a prominent member of the Kennedy clan.
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The decision on which presidential candidates receive Secret Service protection is made by the secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with an advisory committee. However, former presidents and vice presidents, along with their direct families, always warrant a Secret Service detail. Other high-profile politicians and celebrities can hire their own private security.
There is no guideline on which candidates actually qualify as "major candidates." It is also early in the presidential cycle for a Secret Service detail. The Secret Service is authorized to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election. The 2024 presidential election is still more than a year out.