Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the Biden administration rejected his request for Secret Service protection.
In a tweet on Friday morning, Kennedy wrote, “Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection. But not me.”
“Typical turnaround time for pro forma protection requests from presidential candidates is 14-days. After 88-days of no response and after several follow-ups by our campaign, the Biden Administration just denied our request,” he continued.
He added, “Secretary Mayorkas: ‘I have determined that Secret Service protection for Robert F Kennedy Jr is not warranted at this time.’ Our campaign’s request included a 67-page report from the world’s leading protection firm, detailing unique and well established security and safety risks aside from commonplace death threats.”
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…
His tweet referenced the assassination of his father Robert F. Kennedy during his presidential campaign in 1968.
Conservatives expressed dismay at the Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tweet.
Conservative commentator Monica Crowley tweeted, “Biden is denying a presidential candidate named KENNEDY Secret Service protection.”
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— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) July 28, 2023
Biden is denying a presidential candidate named KENNEDY Secret Service protection https://t.co/VN6sNdcQ8r
Radio host Glenn Beck wrote, “If this is true – it is monstrous. I am again not a fan of RFKjr’s policies, but when will America see that the ruling class is operating like a mob family.”
If this is true – it is monstrous. I am again not a fan of RFKjr’s policies, but when will America see that the ruling class is operating like a mob family. #standup. https://t.co/E9buPKC0fl
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) July 28, 2023
Kevin Tober, of the conservative outlet NewsBusters, tweeted, “The Biden regime is denying Secret Service protection to their primary opponent.”
https://twitter.com/KevinTober94/status/1684918449624039424
Another user wrote, “I’m really scratching my head over this. I really don’t think every primary candidate gets secret service protection. Most candidates I meet have zero security. Desantis has his own security. RFK had his own when I saw him What am I missing?”
I’m really scratching my head over this. I really don’t think every primary candidate gets secret service protection. Most candidates I meet have zero security. Desantis has his own security. RFK had his own when I saw him
— Melissa Blasek (@MelissablasekNH) July 28, 2023
What am I missing? https://t.co/AiqbdwccNf
According to the Secret Service’s website, it is authorized to protect “major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election.”
“As defined in statute, the term ‘major presidential and vice presidential candidates’ means those individuals identified as such by the Secretary of Homeland Security after consultation with an advisory committee,” it added.
ABC News notes the advisory committee includes the House speaker, House minority leader, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate.
Additionally, there are several fundraising and polling requirements a candidate must hit to be considered a “major” candidate.