For the fifth time, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and President Joe Biden rejected the request of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Secret Service.
RFK Jr. received his latest denial letter dated March 28, which stated that ” based on facts and the recommendation of the advisory committee, I have determined that Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is not warranted at this time.”
Kennedy had been asking for Secret Service security for about a year and was repeatedly denied by Mayorkas.
His lawyer, Aaron Siri, clapped back at the Homeland Security Service and described this string of denials as “capricious, an abuse of discretion, and clearly politically motivated.”
Atty. Siri, who initiated legal action against Mayorkas, remarked that he would hold the DHS Secretary personally liable if any harm befalls Kennedy or a bystander for lack of Secret Service protection.
He also blasted Mayorkas for his refusal to disclose individuals that the Secret Service pre-determined to threaten or harm Mr. Kennedy.
“If protection is not afforded, we have been authorized to commence an action on the grounds that the repeated denials have been politically motivated and are otherwise capricious,” Siri wrote in his letter addressed to Mayorkas, a day after they received the letter of denial.
“If any harm befalls Mr. Kennedy or any other member of the public who may be injured or killed in any incident that arises due to a lack of Secret Service protection for the candidate and the deterrent it affords, we will seek to hold you accountable.”
“Attacks on public figures often result in serious injury and death to bystanders, and we will not hesitate to represent them in an action against you personally for your conduct.”
RFK Jr.’s attorney noted that Secret Service protection was expanded and afforded to presidential candidates after the assassination of Mr. Kennedy’s father in 1968 while aiming for the presidency. This policy has granted at least 32 presidential candidates security service protection.
He added that the DHS granted some candidates facing lesser risks than RFK Jr. protection. He also cited an experience where one attendee with two loaded handguns wanted to see Mr. Kennedy during a campaign rally.
The Secret Service website explicitly states that candidates will be allowed protection after announcing their candidacy, they were experiencing “general or specific threats,” and they are polling 20% or above based on the RealClearPolitics national average for at least a month.
Atty. Siri added, “Not only have you ignored the obvious threats to the life of the candidate, you have also ignored the assessment of your own secret service.”
“To be sure, there are things worse than death. Living without integrity is one of them,” Mr. Siri concluded.
Latest Comments