The Secret Service has officially terminated its security provision for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate who recently suspended his campaign to endorse former President Donald Trump.
This development was reported by the New York Post following Kennedy's public alignment with Trump at a Turning Point Action campaign rally in Arizona on Friday.
According to The Post Millennial, the Secret Service confirmed the cessation of Kennedy's protection, with a representative stating, "Thats correct. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is no longer receiving US Secret Service protection." This decision comes after President Joe Biden reluctantly agreed to provide Kennedy with Secret Service protection following an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, PA, on July 13. Throughout his campaign, Kennedy had repeatedly requested Secret Service protection, citing the tragic assassinations of his father, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, and his uncle, President John Kennedy. His legal team purportedly presented evidence of at least 34 threats against him.
Kennedy has clarified that he is "suspending" rather than "terminating" his campaign, and will withdraw his name from the ballot in only 10 key battleground states. This strategic move is designed to bolster Trump's chances of defeating Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November 5 election. Kennedy and his running mate, Nicole Shanahan, have accused the Democratic Party of obstructing Kennedy's primary run against Biden and attempting to remove his name from the presidential ballot in several states.
The Secret Service, tasked with protecting the president, vice president, their immediate families, former presidents, visiting heads of state, children of former presidents (until 16 years old), former first ladies, and major presidential candidates, has recently faced criticism. Its reputation has been tarnished by its failure to prevent the assassination attempt on Trump, despite compelling evidence of a threat from shooter Thomas Crooks. This failure led to the resignation of former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, following a bipartisan committee's declaration of lost faith in her leadership.
While the Secret Service's decision to withdraw protection from Kennedy may raise concerns, it is a reflection of the shifting political landscape. As Kennedy steps back from his campaign to support Trump, the focus of the upcoming election sharpens, underscoring the importance of individual freedom and limited government, key tenets of conservative values.
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