Independent presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently fired back at reports recommending GOP presidential contender Nikki Haley for Secret Service protection. The White House has denied Kennedy’s pleas to receive such protection thus far.
A panel recommended that Haley, who lost the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary and is poised to lose the forthcoming South Carolina GOP presidential primary to former President Donald Trump, receive Secret Service protection. Reports indicate that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas must determine whether to grant such protection.
In response, Kennedy said he was “happy” Haley would be protected on the campaign trail but blasted the federal government for refusing to provide him protection.
“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,” Kennedy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“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,” the independent presidential contender added. “Let me be clear: I have immense respect for the Secret Service. This corruption is coming from much higher up.”
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.
My campaign first requested Secret Service protection in May 2023 with a 63…
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) February 16, 2024
Kennedy said that despite not receiving Secret Service protection, he would remain in the 2024 presidential race.
Kennedy pointed out that polling plays a major role in determining which presidential contenders receive Secret Service protection. He said Haley’s polling numbers are just “a fraction” of his, citing a New York Times/Siena College survey, showing him averaging 24% support in battleground states.
The independent presidential hopeful noted that in the past, presidents would provide their challengers with Secret Service protection years ahead of a presidential election.
“The Bush administration afforded Barack Obama Secret Service protection 551 days before the election. President Obama provided protection to President Trump early; President Trump provided protection to President Biden early—even though they were political adversaries,” Kenedy wrote.
Kennedy initially ran for president as a Democrat but later switched, launching an independent presidential bid.
In bad news for Haley, Trump has demonstrated that he still holds tremendous strength among GOP voters and will likely become the Republican presidential nominee in 2024.
