Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Monday said independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will receive Secret Service protection, given the heightened threat environment following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Mr. Mayorkas said President Biden directed him to provide protection to Mr. Kennedy after a gunman grazed Mr. Trump’s ear at the Pennsylvania rally on Saturday and killed one of the former president’s supporters.
“Such acts are unacceptable in our country and in our democracy,” Mr. Mayorkas said. “We are in a heightened and very dynamic threat environment.”
Whether Mr. Kennedy merited Secret Service protection was a running debate during the campaign. Mr. Kennedy’s father and uncle died in assassinations.
Mr. Trump seemed to preempt the announcement earlier Monday by pushing for the move.
“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,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!”
Mr. Kennedy responded by saying: “It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one’s protection. Maybe our country can unite after all.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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