- Sep 4, 2005
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Why is Biden denying Secret Service protection to RFK Jr.?
Just last week, an intruder was arrested twice after trying to break into the LA home of Kennedy and his wife Cheryl Hines, both of whom were inside at the time.
thehill.com
55 years after his father was assassinated in Los Angeles, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now running as an independent candidate for president while being forced to deal on his own with multiple threats from troubled minds. Just last week, an intruder was arrested twice after trying to break into the LA home of Kennedy and his wife Cheryl Hines, both of whom were inside at the time.
With regard to that break-in attempt — where the intruder was arrested, booked, released and then went right back to the Kennedy home to try and break in again — The Hill headlined its story “Cheryl Hines slams Biden for not providing RFK Jr. security detail.”
Why is Hines — who deeply respects President Biden — so upset at him and his administration? Because the Kennedy campaign has reached out several times to the administration formally asking for Secret Service protection, only to be repeatedly denied.
Just two months ago, a heavily armed man impersonating a U.S. marshal was spotted and arrested at one of RFK Jr.’s campaign events in Los Angeles before he could get near the candidate.
Raises a couple interesting conversation points:
A) I was today years old when I learned that RFK Jr is married to the actress who plays Larry David's wife on Curb your Enthusiasm.
B) With regards to secret service protection, the US law states:
Under 18 U.S.C. ' 3056(a)(7), "[m]ajor Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates," as identified by the Secretary of Homeland Security, are eligible for Secret Service protection.
So it comes down to what gets defined as "major". Obviously I can't just proclaim tomorrow that I'm running for president, and then expect the government to send me some guys in black suits with earpieces to watch over me when I go to the mall.
When you read the official Secret Service article on it, they say
When determining whether a candidate for the Office of President or Vice President of the United States qualifies as a major candidate, the Secretary has broad discretion and may consider a variety of factors.
These factors include, but are not limited to:
- Whether the candidate has publicly announced his or her candidacy and has filed the appropriate documentation with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and is in compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended, and related laws;
- Whether the candidate is actively campaigning on a national basis for the office for which his or her candidacy has been announced, as demonstrated by operating a national campaign apparatus, regularly appearing at public events in multiple states, producing and publishing campaign advertisements, and other similar indicia of a campaign;
- A threat assessment conducted by the Secret Service of general or specific threats directed towards the candidate (for these purposes, “threats” should be defined as explicit threats of bodily harm to the candidate or indications of inappropriate behavior towards the candidate suggesting potential bodily harm);
- Whether, during and within an active and competitive major party primary, the most recent average of established national polls, as reflected by the Real Clear Politics National Average or similar mechanism, the candidate is polling at 15% or more for 30 consecutive days;
- Whether the candidate is the formal or de facto nominee of a major party for President or Vice President;
- Whether the candidate is an independent or third-party candidate for President polling at 20% or more of the Real Clear Politics National Average for 30 consecutive days;
- Whether the candidate is the Vice Presidential running mate of the above independent or third-party candidate.
Whether anyone like the guy or not, it seems like he does check off a lot of these boxes that they claim they "may consider as a factor"
