Internet divided as RFK Jr gets Secret Service protection after Donald Trump's assassination attempt

WASHINGTON, DC: Robert F Kennedy Jr will receive Secret Service protection, according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' announcement on Monday, July 15.

In the White House daily briefing, Mayorkas told reporters, “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."

Mounting calls for Robert F Kennedy Jr's protection

The decision follows the horrifying assassination attempt at former president Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 13.

Calls for independent presidential candidate Kennedy Jr to receive protection have been intensifying with Trump joining these calls on Monday, July 15.

In his Truth Social post two days after the shooting, the former president wrote, “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!” he added.

Robert F Kennedy Jr's request for Secret Service protection was denied in 2023

Kennedy stated that he has consistently requested the Secret Service protection but was denied in 2023.

The independent presidential candidate sought protection arguing that his family history puts him at an elevated risk, referencing the assassinations of his father, former Attorney General Robert Kennedy, and his uncle, former president John F Kennedy.

The criteria to seek the privilege include the authorization from the Secret Service to protect major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election, according to The Hill.

The determination of who qualifies as a "major" candidate is made by the Homeland Security secretary in consultation with an advisory committee comprising the House and Senate leadership.

Among the factors the DHS secretary considers is “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," according to the Secret Service.

Nationally, Kennedy is polling at 13 percent, trailing President Joe Biden's 39 percent and Trump's 42.8 percent, as per the Real Clear Politics.

Internet divided as Robert F Kennedy Jr being granted Secret Service protection

After Mayorkas announced on Monday, July 15, that Kennedy Jr will be receiving Secret Service protection, netizens commented on the independent presidential candidate's privilege.

Netizens expressed mixed feelings on whether Kennedy Jr should be granted the protection or not given the low polling percent and his candidacy.

"That would mean he would need to leave his kitchen. Lol," a user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote while another user wrote, "It's about time. It should have been done from the start."

One user tweeted, "He needs to drop out… He’s wasting everyone’s time, including his own…" and another netizen commented, "Are we supposed to say better late than never here?"

"Why doesn’t he just resign?!?" a user tweeted while another user wrote, "No problem...We the People pay the bill.."

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