Just days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump says independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who’s had two relatives in politics assassinated, should also receive Secret Service protection.
“In light of what is going on in the world today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection — immediately,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday.
“Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!” he added.
Trump was referring to the assassinations of Kennedy’s father US Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who was killed on June 4, 1968 after winning the California Democrat primary, and his uncle US President John F. Kennedy, who was killed in his motorcade during a parade in Dallas, Texas.
Since the start of his campaign last year, Kennedy has argued he should be afforded Secret Service protection, however, US law only requires “major” presidential candidates and their spouses receive protection “within 120 days of a general presidential election.”
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…
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 28, 2023
“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,” the Secret Service’s FAQ states.
A NY Times/Siena poll on Monday showed Trump beating Biden 42-40, with Kennedy receiving 7 percent.
The call for protection for RFK comes as the US Secret Service came under scrutiny following a lapse in security protocols over the weekend that allowed a shooter to get within yards of Trump and take several shots.