by A man who was arrested after climbing a fence at the home of presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr was arrested a second time when he immediately returned to the residence after his release.
According to Mr. Kennedy's campaign, Mr. Kennedy's security officials had raised concerns about the individual “several times over the past several months” after “disturbing” communications he had sent.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, the campaign said in a statement. “Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA) patrons located and arrested the intruder, who asked to see the candidate. The intruder turned himself in to the LAPD,” the statement said.
“After being released by police, the man immediately returned to the Kennedy residence and was arrested again. The candidate was at home during both arrests.
“The GDBA had alerted the Secret Service to this particular obsessed individual several times over the past few months and shared disturbing communications he had sent to the candidate.”
Mr. Kennedy had previously protested the White House's decision not to grant him official Secret Service protection. At a campaign event last month, a heavily armed man was arrested while posing as a member of his security.
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, at the time, Mr Kennedy said he was “the first presidential candidate in history to be denied a protection request by the White House”. A statement issued after Wednesday's episodes echoed that sentiment.
“Over several months, the campaign made formal requests for Secret Service protection, but the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Alejandro Mayorkas refused to approve the protection.
“Every presidential administration for 55 years has provided timely protection to candidates who requested it. The Biden administration is the only outrageous one.”
The Secret Service website describes who they are able to protect, including “major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election.”
Mr Kennedy's father, Robert F Kennedy, and his uncle, President John F Kennedy, were both assassinated in the 1960s.
The environmental lawyer and conspiracy theorist initially filed nomination papers for the Democratic nomination with the FEC in April, although allies of President Joe Biden had dismissed his campaign as “not serious.” However, earlier this month he announced that he would run as an independent candidate.
After his announcement, Kennedy's sister, Kerry Kennedy, issued a statement condemning his presidential run as “dangerous” and “dangerous to our country.”
