Robert F. Kennedy Jr., son of the late US Senator Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former US President John F. Kennedy, narrowly avoided a potentially dangerous situation during a recent rally in Los Angeles. A man posing as a federal law enforcement officer attempted to approach Kennedy at the event, but was apprehended by Kennedy’s private security team.
Kennedy expressed his gratitude for his security team on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “I’m very grateful that alert and fast-acting protectors from Gavin de Becker and Associates (GDBA) spotted and detained an armed man who attempted to approach me at my Hispanic Heritage speech at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles tonight.” Kennedy also took the opportunity to request Secret Service protection from the Biden administration, noting that he is the first presidential candidate in history to be denied such protection by the White House.
According to Kennedy’s campaign, the imposter claimed to be part of Kennedy’s security team and insisted on being taken to the candidate immediately. Kennedy’s security team noticed that the man was carrying a gun and promptly removed him from the area. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was then notified and the man was arrested. Additionally, a second man was arrested by the LAPD, as he was found to be in possession of multiple weapons and extra ammunition.
The LAPD confirmed the incident, stating that they received a call reporting a man with a loaded gun and a badge claiming to be a U.S. Marshal. The suspect, identified as Adrian Paul Aispuro, was taken into custody and is facing charges for carrying a concealed weapon. He is currently being held on a $35,000 bond.
Kennedy’s request for Secret Service protection stems from the assassinations of his father and uncle. In April, Kennedy filed an application for protection, but it was subsequently denied by the Biden administration. Kennedy expressed his frustration with the situation in a previous X post, stating, “but after 88 days of no response and several follow-ups,” he received a letter from the administration stating that the protection was not warranted.
The decision to deny Kennedy Secret Service protection has been met with criticism. Kennedy’s campaign manager, former Congressman Dennis Kucinich, called the decision “shocking and repugnant,” accusing the Biden administration of politicizing the Justice Department and security apparatus.
In light of this incident, Kennedy’s safety and the need for increased protection have come into question. Concerns have been raised about the potential for copycat attacks and the importance of providing adequate security for political candidates and public figures. Kennedy’s case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between personal privacy and public safety in the realm of political campaigns.
As the investigation into the incident continues, Kennedy remains hopeful that his request for Secret Service protection will be reconsidered by the Biden administration. The outcome of this request will not only impact Kennedy’s personal safety but may also set a precedent for future presidential candidates.
Source link
