(IntegrityTimes.com) – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to take legal action after he was denied Secret Service protection for the fifth time. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed that he based his decision on the advisory committee’s recommendation, which is made up of congressional leaders and the Sergeant at Arms for the Senate. The Secret Service’s website says that a candidate can receive protection after they have publicly announced their candidacy, have received threats, and if they have polled at or above 20 percent for at least one month as an independent or third-party candidate in the Real Clear Politics national average.
RFK Jr. has not polled above 20 percent for at least a month, but considering his family history of assassinations, it appears unusual that he would not qualify for protection. His father, Robert F. Kennedy, and his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, were both assassinated. His father’s assassination was what prompted the Secret Service to provide protection for presidential candidates. Additionally, DHS has “broad discretion” over whether to authorize Secret Service protection. President Biden also has the authority to order Secret Service protection for anyone.
The day after the latest denial, RFK Jr.’s attorney Aaron Siri fired back a letter to DHS, claiming that the decision was “an abuse of discretion and clearly politically motivated.” He pointed out that other candidates have received Secret Service protection in the past for less risks than RFK Jr. is facing. Siri had no problem accusing DHS of denying him protection for political reasons and also warned him that if something was to happen to his client, DHS, specifically Mayorkas, would be to blame. Siri also insinuated that Mayorkas had no integrity. The letter also indicated that Siri was given authorization to take legal action if RFK Jr. was not given Secret Service protection.
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