Kennedy Jr. revealed on Friday that his request for Secret Service protection had been denied by the Department of Homeland Security-led panel.
This resource is typically provided to all major presidential candidates since the assassination of Kennedy's father during his campaign in 1968.
Kennedy expressed his frustration on Twitter, stating that the Biden Administration had denied his request after 88 days of no response and multiple follow-ups. He shared that Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had informed him that Secret Service protection was "not warranted at this time."
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Kennedy emphasized that his campaign had submitted a comprehensive 67-page report from a leading protection firm, highlighting unique security risks and safety concerns beyond the usual death threats faced by candidates.
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Typically, protection is granted to major presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as their families, within 120 days of a general presidential election. However, Kennedy's request was made over a year before this period and more than 550 days before the 2024 presidential election.
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The decision to grant protection is not determined by the Secret Service but rather by Mayorkas, in consultation with the Speaker of the House, House Minority Whip, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, and an additional committee member.
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The criteria for consideration as a major candidate include polling at or above 15 percent for 30 consecutive days. While Kennedy has come close to meeting this threshold, he has dipped below it within the specified timeframe, according to FiveThirtyEight.
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The denial of Kennedy's request has shocked many, given his family's history of being targeted with political violence. Journalist Michael Shellenberger described the situation as "shocking" and revealed that his team had reached out to the Secret Service for an explanation.
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Kennedy's case highlights the complexities and subjective nature of determining who qualifies for Secret Service protection. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the issue of candidate security will continue to be a topic of discussion and scrutiny.
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