Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign has made a fifth request for Secret Service protection, which includes a man's claim that he intends to kill the candidate on the upcoming anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy Sr.'s assassination.
In the eight-page letter dated March 1, which was reviewed by Newsweek, the campaign COO Mike Sanders cites multiple threats against the candidate and draws comparisons to similar requests in previous years by candidates such as Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.
Kennedy was denied Secret Service protection in February by Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas. In his letter to Kennedy's campaign, also reviewed by Newsweek, Mayorkas says he consulted with House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Sergeant at Arms Karen Gibson in reaching his decision.
"Based on the 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," the letter from Mayorkas states, without offering any further reasoning.
Newsweek reached out to Mayorkas and the five panel members, typically referred to collectively as the Congressional Protection Advisory Committee, or CPAC, and will update the story should any of them respond.
Kennedy, who declined to comment for this report, told Deseret News in December that his campaign had already spent $2 million on security, and he speculated that Mayorkas was denying his Secret Service request because the White House would "probably rather me spend money on protection than spending it on field organization or advertising."
Newsweek reached out to President Joe Biden for comment.
In Kennedy's latest response to the denial letter from Mayorkas, Sanders uses the various denials of Secret Service protection for Kennedy as a timeline.
"While you were reviewing our fourth ... formal request," reads the letter, "Secret Service became aware of Case #74495, who communicated about an upcoming assassination attempt on the Candidate; and Case #74475, a man who described himself as 'a fearless military guy' and had to be removed from a Kennedy campaign event after threatening to 'cause a scene'; and Case #74283, who stated 'I am going to kill RFK Jr. on June 6.'
"While you were reviewing our first formal request, a mentally ill intruder made his way into Candidate Kennedy's home in Hyannis Port, reaching the second floor before being challenged and subsequently arrested."
In one section, the letter describes an incident that took place on September 15 at an event in Los Angeles. Sanders says Adrian Aispuro was detained by Kennedy's private security firm after falsely identifying himself as a U.S. Marshal "and demanded to be brought to the candidate immediately."
Sanders claims in the letter that Aispuro was carrying a loaded handgun along with an additional firearm and extra ammunition in a backpack. LAPD placed Aispuro under arrest. According to the LAPD, Aispuro was released on bond on September 22.
Homeland Security guidelines dictate that major presidential candidates polling at 15 percent or better for 30 consecutive days (if a candidate for a major party) or 20 percent if an independent would be eligible for Secret Service protection within one year of a general election, thus Kennedy might qualify should Mayorkas give his approval, though he's given a wide berth of discretion.
In January, Politico reported that, in a three-way race with Biden and Donald Trump, he polled at 22 percent. When he was running as a Democrat prior to mid-October, he typically polled above 15 percent.
The letter says that "every administration for 55-years approved and provided early Secret Service protection to presidential candidates. The Biden administration is the sole outlier."
Some examples cited in the letter include: In 2007, Barack Obama was afforded Secret Service protection 551 days before the election; for Pat Buchanan in 1996 it was 250 days; in 2012 it was 245 days for Newt Gingrich: in 1984 during Ronald Reagan's administration six candidates received protection about 297 days prior to the election.
Secret Service protection isn't cheap; CNN reported in 2016 that it costs an estimated $40,000 per day to protect a presidential candidate.
The latest letter asking Mayorkas to reverse his previous decisions also cites a Risk Assessment from the Secret Service obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request that reads:
"Kennedy's family history, perceived controversial stance on vaccines, and his status as a challenger to President Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination elevates his risk for adverse attention."
Kennedy filed his intent to run as a Democrat on April 5 and six months later he announced he'd be running as an independent.
His campaign's previous letters to Mayorkas seeking his approval of Secret Service protection were dated July 8, 2023; August 14, 2023; October 25, 2023; and January 2, 2024.
Previously, CPAC, according to FOIA documents, said that Kennedy didn't qualify for protection because it "should only be granted within one year prior to the general election," though, as of Tuesday, it is 244 days until the November 5 presidential election.
Update, 3/6/2024 at 5:47 p.m. ET: The article was updated to include polling data and clarification of polling rule.
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