US President Joe Biden has directed the Secret Service to provide protection for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Mayorkas stated, “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.”
Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and long-time vaccine skeptic, announced his candidacy as an independent for the upcoming November elections. While his chances of winning are slim, his campaign could influence close races in key swing states.
Former President Trump also called for Kennedy to receive Secret Service protection, posting on social media, “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 call for increased security comes after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, an event that has further polarized the nation ahead of the elections.
