Despite being granted Secret Service protection earlier this year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. finds himself without it once more.
At a Glance
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his presidential bid and endorsed former President Donald Trump.
- Following his decision to leave the race, Kennedy lost his Secret Service protection.
- Kennedy plans to remove his name from ballots in battleground states but will remain on ballots in less competitive states.
- Kennedy lobbied for Secret Service protection for months due to various security scares and threats.
Kennedy Ends Third-Party Bid and Endorses Trump
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental advocate and Democratic activist, shocked many when he suspended his third-party presidential bid and threw his support behind former President Donald Trump. This pivotal decision came after Kennedy concluded there was no viable path to the White House for him as an independent candidate.
Kennedy plans to withdraw his name from ballots in key battleground states but will remain on the ballot in less competitive states. This strategic move was calculated to avoid splitting the vote in critical elections, potentially benefiting the Republican candidate.
Secret Service Protection Comes and Goes
President Biden initially directed the Secret Service to protect Kennedy after an assassination attempt against Trump in July. However, following Kennedy’s announcement to suspend his campaign, the protection was withdrawn. Secret Service law dictates that protection is required for major presidential candidates and their spouses 120 days prior to a general election.
Kennedy had lobbied for Secret Service protection for months, flagging numerous security scares and threats against him. His legal team reportedly had evidence of 34 threats or concerning screeds directed his way. Despite these efforts, the discontinuation of his candidacy made him ineligible for ongoing Secret Service assistance.
Controversy and Criticism
The Secret Service’s handling of Kennedy’s protection, as well as their general procedures, has been under the microscope. The agency faced criticism over an assassination attempt against Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a suspect was able to get close to Trump. This attack resulted in the death of firefighter Corey Comperatore and injuries to two others.
Amid this scrutiny, Kimberly Cheatle resigned as Secret Service director, succumbing to political pressure. Multiple investigations are underway into the July 13 incident by various bodies, including a bipartisan House task force, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General.
“These are the principal causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to throw my support to President Trump,” Kennedy said in Phoenix.
Kennedy’s decision to back Trump has not been without personal cost. His family members criticized the endorsement, calling it a betrayal of their values. Kennedy acknowledged the tension, noting how his decision had strained familial bonds and caused significant controversy within the close-knit Kennedy clan.
