The Secret Service has decided to terminate protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a development that assesses the criteria and judgments behind such decisions.
At a Glance
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his third-party presidential bid and endorsed former President Donald Trump.
- Following his decision to leave the race, Kennedy lost his Secret Service protection.
- He lobbied for Secret Service protection for months due to various security scares.
- Investigations into the July 13 assassination attempt against Trump are ongoing, placing the Secret Service under scrutiny.
- Trump has promised to establish commissions on assassination attempts if elected.
Kennedy’s Campaign Actions and their Consequences
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his third-party presidential campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, citing a lack of a viable path to the White House. Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump has led to the termination of his Secret Service protection detail. He plans to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states but will still appear in less competitive states.
President Biden had initially directed Secret Service protection for Kennedy following an assassination attempt against Trump in July.
Security Concerns and Historical Context
Kennedy’s legal team presented evidence of 34 threats or concerning screeds against him to justify additional security measures. His family history, including the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, underscores the need for continuously assessing security threats.
“That’s correct. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is no longer receiving US Secret Service protection,” a representative for the agency said.
Kimberly Cheatle, the former Secret Service director, has resigned amid political pressure and ongoing investigations by several agencies, including a bipartisan House task force and the FBI.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who suspended his third-party presidential bid last week and endorsed former President Donald Trump, has lost his Secret Service protection following the decision to leave the race, his campaign said. https://t.co/sclufuy7jE
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 25, 2024
Kennedy’s Political Maneuvering
Kennedy’s endorsement of Trump has caused rifts within his family, with five family members calling it “a sad ending to a sad story” and reiterating their support for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Kennedy cited issues such as free speech, the war in Ukraine, and “a war on our children” as reasons for endorsing Trump.
“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 at an event in Phoenix.
There are also speculations and hints that Kennedy may join the Trump administration as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services if Trump wins the election. This political realignment adds another layer of complexity to an already multi-faceted political landscape as Kennedy’s presence in the race would have potentially hurt Trump more than Harris, according to internal polls.
Sources
1. Secret Service ends protection for RFK Jr. as he suspends presidential campaign
