For ads-free news, click here.
From CBS News: President Biden has directed the Secret Service to protect independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following Saturday’s attempted assassination of Donald Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Monday.
The RFK Jr. campaign was requesting Secret Service protection long before the attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life. The Kennedy family is painfully aware of how quickly life can be taken by a single attacker — both RFK Jr.’s father, Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle, John F. Kennedy, were assassinated in the 1960s.
“In light of this weekend’s events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.,” Mayorkas announced during Monday’s White House press briefing.
Kennedy’s father, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated in June 1968 when he was running for president, and his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in November 1963.
RFK Jr. had repeatedly requested Secret Service protection since he began running for president, but the Biden administration had denied his request.
MAYORKAS: “The President has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy Jr.” pic.twitter.com/oJKUAVs0jD
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 15, 2024
In a Truth Social post Monday morning, Trump wrote, “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. Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!”
RFK Jr. responded on social media, “It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one’s protection. Maybe our country can unite after all.”
It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one’s protection. Maybe our country can unite after all. pic.twitter.com/Nfd3yXAh1F
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 15, 2024
After the Biden administration finally caved in and granted the protection, RFK Jr. wrote, “Thank you to President Biden for granting me Secret Service protection. And I am so grateful to Gavin deBecker & Associates for keeping me safe for the last 15 months of my Presidential campaign.”
Thank you to President Biden for granting me Secret Service protection. And I am so grateful to Gavin deBecker & Associates for keeping me safe for the last 15 months of my Presidential campaign.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 15, 2024
Kennedy also addressed reports of a meeting he just had with Trump.
“Lots of rumors going around about my meeting this morning with President Trump. Our main topic was national unity, and I hope to meet with Democratic leaders about that as well. No, I am not dropping out of the race, he wrote.
Lots of rumors going around about my meeting this morning with President Trump. Our main topic was national unity, and I hope to meet with Democratic leaders about that as well. No, I am not dropping out of the race.
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 15, 2024
President Biden has directed the Secret Service to protect independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following Saturday’s attempted assassination of Donald Trump. https://t.co/AZZE8cpzqZ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 15, 2024
NEWS ALERT: Trump calls for Secret Service protection ‘immediately’ for RFK Jr.
