In the wake of the recent assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, President Joe Biden must take immediate action to ensure the safety of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The attack on Fico, who remains in serious condition, underscores the dangers that political figures face in a polarized climate. As Slovakia grapples with this shocking incident, Americans must reflect on the lessons it offers and act to prevent similar threats within our own borders.
Politics across the United States, Europe, and elsewhere have become bitterly divided over the past decade, with far-right and radical left-wing populists increasing their influence in traditionally nonviolent democracies.
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have added to these tensions, as citizens look to their leaders to take a stand on highly contentious issues. Political division, inflammatory rhetoric, emotionally charged conflicts, high levels of migration, and an increasing number of people struggling in wealthy economies all add to a pressure cooker that makes it dangerous to be a politician these days.
While disgraced former President Donald Trump’s recklessly inflammatory rhetoric has been widely discussed, Biden has essentially been saying democracy will end if he’s not elected, even as he canceled opportunities for the Democratic Party to nominate an alternative.
In a democracy, controversy is healthy. Political violence is not.
Intentionally outlandish extremist rhetoric might be entertaining but it has dangerous effects on democratic discourse.
While fiery rhetoric might grab attention, it hurts our ability to have a civil discussion. It insults the other side, makes it harder to understand the real issues, and stops us from finding common ground.
While the assassinations of his father and uncle made RFK Jr. a target from the very start, Kennedy has submitted five requests for Secret Service protection since launching his campaign in April, all of which have been denied by the Department of Homeland Security.
Despite presenting substantial evidence of potential threats, including an incident involving an individual with loaded handguns at a campaign event, Kennedy’s pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
This string of denials is not only perplexing but also deeply troubling, given the historical precedent and clear risks involved.
An intruder was arrested after trying to break into the Los Angeles home of Kennedy and his wife Cheryl Hines, both of whom were inside at the time. Following that break-in attempt, the intruder was arrested, booked, released and then immediately returned to the Kennedy home in an attempt to break in again.
Another man showed up at a Kennedy campaign event armed with firearms and a fake US Marshals badge.
Granting Secret Service protection has traditionally been a non-partisan decision, rooted in the commitment to fair elections and candidate safety. Historically, presidents have prioritized the security of their political rivals over partisan interests.
In 2007, President George W. Bush provided early protection to then-Senator Barack Obama, and President Jimmy Carter did the same for Senator Ted Kennedy in 1980. Even more recently, candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden received early protection during their campaigns.
The Biden administration’s repeated denial of protection for Kennedy lacks any transparent justification.
The stated criteria for granting protection—polling numbers, a national campaign presence, and heightened security threats—appear to be met in Kennedy’s case. Moreover, the Kennedy family’s history of political assassinations adds an urgent layer of concern.
President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, both direct relatives of RFK Jr., were tragically assassinated while in service and during a presidential campaign, respectively. It is the height of irony and negligence to deny RFK Jr. the protection his own family’s history so clearly necessitates.
The incident in Slovakia is a stark reminder of the real and present dangers that political candidates face. Prime Minister Fico’s shooting has not only shaken his nation but also served as a cautionary tale for democracies worldwide.
In a time of heightened political tension and extremism, ensuring the safety of those who run for office is paramount. It is not just a matter of personal security but also of preserving the integrity of our electoral process.
Gregory Lee Leingang, a 42-year-old man, attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump in Mandan, North Dakota, while he was visiting the state to rally public support for tax cuts.
FBI agents trying to serve a warrant on Craig Deleeuw Robertson, shot and killed the armed Utah man accused of making threats against President Joe Biden, hours before the president visited a Veterans Affairs hospital in Salt Lake City.
Lone actors are more likely to commit terrorist acts than U.S. extremist groups, according to research conducted by Andrew Vitek, a professor of Political Science at Penn State, which makes it harder for private security teams to identify threats.
President Biden must act now to rectify this oversight. The decision to provide Secret Service protection should transcend politics and focus solely on the well-being of the candidates and the health of our democracy. Failure to do so not only endangers Robert F. Kennedy Jr. but also sets a dangerous precedent for how we value the safety of our political contenders.
We call on President Biden to demonstrate leadership and fairness by ordering the Secret Service to provide immediate protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. It is a decision that honors our democratic values and acknowledges the lessons of our own history and the recent events in Slovakia and elsewhere.
The security of American presidential candidates is not a privilege but a necessity, and it is time for the Biden administration to act accordingly.