The third request for Secret Service protection from the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was turned down. Kennedy said, “It’s another example of weaponization of government against Biden’s political opponents.”

He has a good point. Why would Joe Biden’s Department of Homeland Security deny RFK, Jr. protection, especially given his political family’s history?

Homeland Security gave no explanation for rejecting our application. Law says all “major candidates” get protection. I’m polling 22% (and 40% among young voters — beating both Biden and Trump). My opinion may be biased, but that seems pretty “major” to me.

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) December 23, 2023

“Denied Secret Service again!” Kennedy wrote, adding “It’s not just about me. It’s another example of weaponization of government against Biden’s political opponents. They know that 30¢ of every campaign dollar goes to keeping me safe.”

“Homeland Security gave no explanation for rejecting our application,” Kennedy said in a follow-up post. “Law says all ‘major candidates’ get protection. I’m polling 22% (and 40% among young voters — beating both Biden and Trump). My opinion may be biased, but that seems pretty ‘major’ to me.”

DHS Secretary Mayorkas released a statement after his decision was made.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in the denial letter “I have consulted with an advisory committee composed of the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, and the Senate Sergeant at Arms,” per Deseret News.

“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,” he said.

There is a process here. Mayorkas, known for not following rules and laws at the U.S.-Mexico border is suddenly a rule-follower when it comes to granting Secret Service protection to a presidential candidate. The program was enacted after RFK, Jr.’s father was assassinated during his 1968 presidential campaign. All major presidential candidates are entitled to this protection. For example, Herman Cain and Dr. Ben Carson received the protection during their presidential campaigns.

Kennedy can be considered a major candidate because he polls at 20% in many polls. Democrats are very worried that he will throw the presidential campaign to Trump, with voters who agree with Kennedy on some hot-button issues like vaccines and COVID-19 saying they will support Kennedy in the election. It is also possible that Kennedy would take voters who may vote for Trump. Kennedy has provided DHS with a detailed 67-page from a respected protection firm. The report was provided after Kennedy’s first request was rejected. The report highlighted unique an well-established security and safety measures, along with death threats.

As noted above, Mayorkas consults with an advisory panel consisting of the Speaker of the House, House Minority Whip, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, and “one additional member chosen by the committee.” So, in this case, it was a bipartisan decision. Mayorkas is using that as cover. Mayorkas made the final decision but he can point to the politicians in leadership and say they advised against the protection.

Most people understand there are special circumstances here. Kennedy’s famous Democrat family has a history of assassinations. Besides his father, his uncle, JFK, was assassinated while he was president. RFK, Jr. recently had a stalker who came onto his private property not once but twice in the same day. Former US National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump General Mike Flynn said this is an outrage.

This is totally unacceptable and has to stop. The whole reason major candidates get this security protection is because of the assassination of @RobertKennedyJr ‘s father, RFKSr.

The corruption in our government has and will get others killed and it has to stop and stop NOW!!!… https://t.co/V3rt0Wrmm8

— General Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) December 23, 2023

It’s ok to support a different candidate yet at the same time acknowledge that this is a special circumstance. Even if he didn’t meet the requirements, the history of his family in politics has to be a part of the decision-making process. This makes Team Biden look weak and petty.

Kennedy is doing the work of a typical presidential campaign. He travels from state to state and holds rallies. He attracts both Biden and Trump supporters who are looking to avoid a 2020 rematch. Kennedy’s supporters tend to be distrustful of the federal government and both parties, in general. Others are distrustful of media and corporations. They think Kennedy is the only person telling the truth. RFK, Jr. held a rally in Phoenix last week and those who came to hear him speak were a mixed group. Some were new to politics – Kennedy captured their interest – and others were voters of both major political parties.

“I like that he talks to us like adults,” said Gilbert Limon, a 48-year-old pharmacist from Phoenix. “He tells you the majority of what you need to know. Whereas I feel like (other politicians) just give you bits and pieces to try to fit their agenda. I’ve had enough of that.”

Kennedy is doing the work to gain access to state ballots.

Kennedy made the stop in Phoenix as part of his laborious push to get access to the 2024 presidential ballot as an independent candidate, which he figures will require him to collect at least a million signatures across the country. Aides mingled in the crowd collecting filling up his petitions to qualify in Arizona.

Ballot access for independent and minor-party candidates is an expensive and complicated process, with each state setting its own rules for access. Campaigns usually hire people to collect signatures and often need a small army of lawyers to challenge ballot access rules and fight back against others trying to keep them off the ballot.

American Values 2024, a super PAC supporting Kennedy, has pledged to spend $15 million to help him get on the ballot in 10 states. Kennedy secured a victory in Utah, where the lieutenant governor pushed back the deadline to qualify from January to March after Kennedy filed suit.

Democrats blame Green Party candidates for presidential election losses. Ralph Nader in 2000 or Jill Stein in 2016 tipped the elections to Republicans. Both Trump and Biden are keeping an eye on RFK, Jr.’s rise in the polls. He is running as an independent candidate. In the meantime, Kennedy promises to file a fourth request for Secret Service protection. His campaign is paying for extra security measures and Kennedy thinks that is the plan – drain his campaign coffers instead of approving his request. It’s not a good look for Team Biden.