The U.S. Secret Service has taken measures to enhance the protection of former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, following an attempted assassination on Trump. Additionally, under Biden’s directive, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is also being provided with protection.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced these changes at a White House press briefing on Monday, overseeing the U.S. Secret Service.
Mayorkas informed reporters that the Secret Service has made adjustments to the protection details for the former president, current president, and vice president, without specifying the specific changes for security reasons.
He also mentioned that J.D. Vance, the running mate selected by Trump and Ohio Republican federal senator, will receive “appropriate levels of security.” Trump’s vice-presidential nominee was announced during the Republican National Convention held on Monday, officially naming Trump as the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidency.
Mayorkas made these adjustments to the Secret Service’s work following the attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening. Trump was shot in the right ear during the attack, resulting in one fatality and two severe injuries among attendees.
Another significant change announced by Mayorkas on Monday was Biden’s instruction for the Secret Service to provide protection for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. from now on.
“In light of the events that transpired over the weekend, the President directed me to collaborate with the Secret Service to provide protection for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,” stated Mayorkas at the White House press briefing.
After the attack on Saturday, Trump called for the government to also provide Secret Service protection for Kennedy.
The former president wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, “Given the current state of affairs in the world, I believe it is imperative that Secret Service protection be provided immediately for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Given the history of the Kennedy family, this is clearly the right thing to do!”
Kennedy’s uncle, former President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1963, and his father, former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, was fatally shot in 1968 while vying for the Democratic presidential nomination as a U.S. Senator.
As per federal regulations, the Department of Homeland Security can authorize the Secret Service to provide security protection for major presidential and vice-presidential candidates within 120 days before the presidential election after confirming their candidacy.
Kennedy expressed gratitude on social media for Biden’s decision and acknowledged his personal security provided by private security firms employed for him and his campaign activities.