The secretary made the announcement on July 15, two days after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
Alejandro Mayorkas, the Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, said on July 15 that Secret Service protection will be extended to independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“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.,” Mr. Mayorkas said.
The announcement was made at a White House news briefing with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Mr. Mayorkas said security protection will be increased for 2024 presidential candidates and for this week’s Republican National Convention (RNC) after a 20-year-old man tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump on July 13.
While Mr. Kennedy, whose father and uncle were both assassinated less than five years apart, had asked DHS to provide him with Secret Service protection five times before this weekend’s events, he said the requests were denied.
In a statement posted to social media platform X minutes after the news briefing ended, Mr. Kennedy thanked President Joe Biden for extending him Secret Service protection.
“Thank you to President Biden for granting me Secret Service protection,” he said. “And I am so grateful to Gavin deBecker & Associates for keeping me safe for the last 15 months of my Presidential campaign.”
Mr. Mayorkas said RNC security has been ramped up.
“We have steadily increased implementation of significant physical and technical enhancements at every protective venue in support of protectees, including miles of anti-scale fencing, screening, technology, and tactical support,” he said.
Earlier in the day, former President Trump released a statement to his social media platform, Truth Social, calling for Mr. Kennedy to receive security 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. Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!” the 45th president said.
In response, Mr. Kennedy posted to X, praising the remarks as a call to unity.
“It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one’s protection. Maybe our country can unite after all,” he said.
By Jacob Burg and Jeff Louderback