RFK Jr. to be offered Secret Service protection after Trump shooting

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be offered Secret Service protection, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced on Monday.

“In light of this weekend’s events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection with Robert Kennedy Jr.,” he told reporters in the White House daily briefing.

Calls have been mounting for Kennedy to be provided Secret Service protection following the assassination attempt at former President Trump’s rally on Saturday.

Trump joined the calls for Kennedy to get protection on Monday, writing on Truth Social that he believes “it is imperative” that he gets protection “immediately.”

“Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!” Trump added.

Kennedy’s father, former Attorney General Robert Kennedy, was assassinated while running for president. And his uncle, former President Kennedy, was assassinated in office.

Kennedy has long sought the privilege of Secret Service and he said last year that his official request for it was denied.

The Secret Service is authorized to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election. 

Mayorkas as Homeland Security secretary, in consultation with an advisory committee of House and Senate leadership, is responsible for determining which candidates are in that “major” category.