Nikki Haley Granted Secret Service Protection, RFK Jr. Still Denied
After repeatedly denying Secret Service protection to independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reports indicate that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has greenlit Secret Service protection for failing Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
The decision to give Haley Secret Service protection was made by a congressional panel. This has shocked many commentators considering the fact that Haley has little to no chance of winning the primary, as she has lost every contest thus far by a massive margin, and is likely to drop out in the coming weeks — while Kennedy is polling very strong for a third-party candidate and is unlikely to drop out of the race.
According to U.S. law, under the DHS secretary’s direction, the Secret Service may protect “Major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and, within 120 days of the general Presidential election, the spouses of such candidates.”
Despite Kennedy facing legitimate threats and making a strong case for protection, the Biden administration has repeatedly denied his requests. The Democrat-turned-independent responded to the news in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“A congressional advisory committee just voted in favor of granting Nikki Haley Secret Service protection. While I’m happy she’ll be protected and publicly supported her request, double standards abound,” he wrote.
“Refusing me Secret Service protection is a way to drain my campaign funds and stop the movement we’re building together. They want us out of the race by any means necessary. This is blatant election interference,” Kennedy added. “Let me be clear: I have immense respect for the Secret Service. This corruption is coming from much higher up.”
In July 2023, Kennedy posted on X about the Biden administration’s refusal to grant his request, writing: “Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection. But not me… Our campaign’s request included a 67-page report from the world’s leading protection firm, detailing unique and well established security and safety risks aside from commonplace death threats.”
He included a quote in the post from Mayorkas, which read: “I have determined that Secret Service protection for Robert F Kennedy Jr is not warranted at this time.”
Just a few months later in Sept. 2023, an armed man pretending to be a U.S. Marshal and member of Kennedy’s security detail was arrested at a “Hispanic Heritage” event where Kennedy was slated to speak. After that incident, Kennedy once again implored the Biden administration to reconsider denying him Secret Service protection — prompting many commentators to question whether the denial was malicious due to Democrats’ anger that Kennedy could siphon votes from President Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, many commentators and lawmakers have called out the Biden administration for choosing to protect Haley, but not Kennedy.
“Mr. Kennedy should be afforded protection,” wrote Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX).
“Nikki Haley is getting Secret Service protection but they still won’t give any to Robert Kennedy, Jr. Now, neither one of these people have a chance in hell at being President, but it just goes to show you that Nikki has the Biden seal of approval while he’s hoping for a threepeat in the Kennedy dynasty!” wrote commentator Joey Mannarino.
“What is wrong w/ our govt?? Give @RobertKennedyJr Secret Service protection! With his family history, the threats he has endured I think it is outrageous he does not have protection. Haley appropriately got it but he has not have protection. If something happens to him, blood is on the Biden Admin / Congress’ hands!” wrote Newsmax host Greta Van Susteren.
“RFK, Jr. has more support & has family history of assassinations. How does he not get protection but Haley, who will not win a state, gets secret service protection?” another user asked.
