Following Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, calls are growing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to get Secret Service protection.
Kennedy said last year that his request for detail was denied, but after Saturday’s violence, many have begun arguing that he should be offered protection from the agency.
Former President Trump was left bloodied and injured on Saturday after a gunman opened fire, injuring Trump, killing one, and leaving two others in critical condition.
Kennedy has had multiple family members assassinated, including his father, former Attorney General Robert Kennedy. Throughout his campaign against President Joe Biden and Trump, he has continued to argue that he is at an increased risk because of his family history.
Now, several political figures are urging Biden to provide Kennedy with a protection detail, including Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D).
“I encourage @POTUS to immediately provide secret service protection for @RobertKennedyJr,” Polis wrote on X.
Former White House spokesman Ari Fleisher wrote on X that Kennedy should have been provided protection from the Secret Service “a long time ago.”
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk posted on social media that Kennedy’s denied requests were “unacceptable” and that he should be offered protection as soon as possible.
“Reminder, RFK Jr. needs Secret Service protection. ASAP. It’s completely unacceptable that it has been withheld, especially given his family history,” Kirk posted on X.
According to the Secret Service, the agency is authorized to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election.
However, which candidates are considered “major” is determined by the Homeland Security secretary, who consults an advisory committee of House and Senate leadership.
As for Kennedy, he joined the growing list of current and former politicians rallying around Trump and calling for condemnation of the attack.
“Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family,” Kennedy said in a post on X.