U.S. News
Biden refuses Secret Service protection for RFK Jr.
By CM Chaney · October 27, 2023
In brief…
- Man arrested after twice trespassing at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s LA home
- Suspect identified as 28-year-old Jonathan Macht, held on $30K bail
- Kennedy campaign says it requested, was denied, Secret Service protection
- Statement claims Biden admin outlier in denying candidate protection
- Kennedy running independent after dropping Democratic primary bid
- Unclear how third-party effort may impact 2024 race
A man was arrested for violating a protective order after twice trespassing at the Los Angeles home of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., police said.
The 28-year-old Jonathan Macht was initially cited and released for trespassing at Kennedy’s Brentwood home Wednesday, the LAPD said. He then returned and was arrested for violating an emergency protective order.
Police said Macht, of Los Angeles, was held on $30,000 bail. A private security team had already detained him for going over the property’s fence when police first responded.
Kennedy was home during both incidents, his campaign said in a statement. It claimed the campaign had requested Secret Service protection that the Biden administration denied despite precedent.
“Every presidential administration for 55 years has afforded early protection to candidates who requested it. The Biden administration is the sole outlier,” the statement read.
Kennedy dropped his Democratic presidential bid earlier this month but is now running as an independent. It’s unclear how his third-party effort may impact the 2024 race, though he never gained traction in Democratic primary polls against President Biden.