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Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said Friday that his request for Secret Service protection as a 2024 presidential candidate was rejected by the Biden administration.
In a lengthy statement posted on Twitter, the Democratic White House hopeful invoked the assassination of his father, Robert F. Kennedy, during his 1968 presidential campaign.
"Since the assassination of my father in 1968, candidates for president are provided Secret Service protection. But not me," Kennedy wrote.
DEMOCRATS TRY TO CENSOR, REMOVE RFK JR. AT HEARING ON CENSORSHIP
"Typical turnaround time for pro forma protection requests from presidential candidates is 14-days," he wrote. "After 88-days of no response and after several follow-ups by our campaign, the Biden Administration just denied our request."
Kennedy said he received a message from Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas that read, "I have determined that Secret Service protection for Robert F Kennedy Jr is not warranted at this time."
RFK JR. DENIES BEING ANTISEMITE, EXPRESSES REGRET OVER COVID-19 COMMENTS
"Our campaign's request included a 67-page report from the world's leading protection firm, detailing unique and well established security and safety risks aside from commonplace death threats," Kennedy said.
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A Secret Service spokesperson referred Fox News Digital to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when asked for comment. DHS and the White House did not immediately respond to similar inquiries.
The killing of Kennedy Jr.'s father at a Los Angeles hotel came nearly five years after his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in Dallas in November 1963.
The first Republican presidential primary debate is less than a month away, and seven of the candidates seeking the GOP nomination for the White House have met the required polling and fundraising criteria to earn a spot on stage.
Last month, the Republican National Committee (RNC) revealed the polling and fundraising criteria that GOP presidential candidates must reach in order to make the stage at the first primary debate, which Fox News will host on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The debate starts at 9 p.m. ET.
To make the stage, candidates are required to reach 1% in three national polls, or 1% in two national polls and two state-specific polls from the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. The polls must also be recognized by the RNC and must be conducted on or after July 1.
Additionally, to reach the debate stage, candidates must have 40,000 unique donors to their campaign committee (or exploratory committee), with "at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in 20+ states and/or territories," according to the RNC criteria.
The Republican candidates who have reached both the polling and fundraising threshold are, in alphabetical order:
Other GOP candidates, as of Wednesday, have not yet met the fundraising threshold required by the RNC to take a spot on stage.
The candidates who have met polling requirements – but not fundraising requirements – include:
The RNC says candidates must present their fundraising figures at least 48 hours prior to the first debate.
Besides signing a pledge agreeing to support the eventual Republican presidential nominee, the candidates also must sign a pledge agreeing not to participate in any non-RNC-sanctioned debates for the rest of the 2024 election cycle and to agree to data sharing with the national party committee, the RNC noted last month.
The first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle will air on Fox News, and Rumble is the online live-streaming partner. Young America's Foundation is also a partner in the first debate.
Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
FIRST ON FOX: He passed on running for the White House, but popular Republican New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu will team up Friday with nearly the entire field of GOP presidential candidates at a major cattle call in Iowa.
Sununu is traveling to Des Moines, where he will attend the Republican Party of Iowa's 2023 Lincoln Dinner, which is the state party's top annual fundraising gala. Word of Sununu's travels was shared first with Fox News on Tuesday.
All but one of the more than a dozen Republican White House candidates — including former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, and entrepreneur and political commentator Vivek Ramasamy — will speak at the dinner in the state whose caucuses kick off the GOP presidential nominating calendar. The only candidate not attending is former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is concentrating his second White House bid in New Hampshire, which holds the first primary and second overall contest in the GOP schedule, and South Carolina, which votes third.
Sununu, who has indicated he will likely make an endorsement ahead of next year's New Hampshire primary, said in a Fox News Digital interview that one of the reasons he is attending the Iowa GOP dinner is "it's just a great opportunity to see."
MEET THE GOVERNOR IN DEMAND WITH THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
"I'm kind of looking at these candidates, not just in terms of what they say and their policies. I really believe right now it's about who's got the personality. Who has the style. Who gets people excited. It's not just what they say but what you see and kind of the tone that they deliver and how they'll do that with all the other candidates around them for the first time is actually quite fascinating," Sununu explained.
FIRST ON FOX: NEARLY ENTIRE GOP FIELD OTHER THAN TRUMP TO TEAM UP WITH IOWA'S GOVERNOR AT STATE FAIR
Pointing to the GOP presidential primary debates, which kick off Aug. 23 with a Fox News-hosted showdown in Milwaukee, the governor highlighted, "I think this is a little bit of a precursor to the debates maybe. They're not debating, but how are they going to handle themselves against each other? I think it's a little bit of a curiosity factor... who's going to really be able to give the punch and take the punch, and give it back to Trump."
Sununu is attending the dinner as a guest of Run GenZ, a non-profit group that says it is focused on "empowering and mentoring conservative trailblazers from Generation Z to pursue leadership opportunities, including public office that allow them to work toward a more constitutionally-focused government." The governor was last in Iowa a year ago when he attended a Run GenZ Summer Summit.
"I know a lot of other folks who are out there, and I'm looking forward to catching up with them and giving them the New Hampshire perspective on things," Sununu shared. He also emphasized that when it comes to the GOP presidential nomination race, "Iowa and New Hampshire kind of lead the charge in the conversation."
When asked if he will use Friday's dinner as a screen test for a likely endorsement, Sununu said, "The screen test, if you will, is when they come on the campaign trail with me. They come to some of my Super 603 Days, or I go to events with them and I kind of take them around. I'll be doing a lot of that this fall with many of the candidates.
"The best screen test is when they're with me and my constituents and how they handle it," the governor spotlighted. "They have to earn their stripes with me on my home turf."
HOW THIS ONE-TIME BATTLEGROUND STATE IN AMERICA'S HEARTLAND TURNED BRIGHT RED
Sununu, who announced in early June that he would pass on a White House campaign, and last week announced that he would not run next year for what would have been an unprecedented fifth two-year term as New Hampshire governor, has long been a vocal GOP critic of the former president. The dinner will bring Sununu and Trump under the same roof at the same time.
"I have no problem going up and saying hello if I have the opportunity," Sununu said, "I appreciate the service he gave to the country, the four years he gave. We just need to move on. It's not personal."
He added that, "I'm always polite. I'm always willing to shake somebody's hand and look them in the eye and try and try to encourage them to get out of the race... clear the field for the next generation."
Sununu also reiterated that the large GOP field of rivals to Trump needs to winnow down by the end of the year, ahead of the first nominating contests, in order to prevent the former president – who currently enjoys a commanding lead in the latest Republican primary polls – from easily capturing the nomination.
When asked if he will try to help narrow the field, Sununu answered "I absolutely will... I'm never shy about what I think should happen or where I think the party should go."
"If you're not in the first or second debate, I think that's probably a good sign that it's not going to happen. So that's probably going to be the first filter," Sununu said. "I think as you get into the November and December timeframe, if other candidates just aren't going anywhere still, then I have no problem having polite conversations behind the scenes — I don't want to embarrass anybody. But I think a lot of folks will be having those conversations, by the way, not just me."
He also emphasized that "at some point the pressure has to be brought to bear." No candidate had the "courage" to do that in 2016, as Trump conquered a crowd field of rivals, Sununu said.
"We took it for granted in '16 and tried to go around Trump."
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., appeared confused Thursday during a routine Senate committee proceeding, where she began reading from her prepared remarks instead of saying "aye" during a roll call vote.
The moment involving Feinstein — the oldest serving member of the Senate at age 90 — came as the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee was taking roll ahead of a vote on the defense appropriations bill.
When it came Feinstein's turn to say "aye," as all members of the subcommittee do in order to have their votes recorded, the longtime California senator seemingly froze up.
"Just say, 'Aye,'" Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., told Feinstein.
TWO-THIRDS OF CALIFORNIA VOTERS SAY DIANNE FEINSTEIN NO LONGER FIT FOR OFFICE: POLL
"Pardon me," Feinstein responded.
"Aye," Murray reiterated.
Instead of registering her vote, Feinstein launched into remarks in favor of the bill, a process that was slated to come later in the meeting after the roll call is completed.
"I would like to support a 'yes' vote on this," Feinstein said. "It provides $823 billion — that's an increase of $26 billion for the Department of Defense, and it funds priorities submitted—"
Feinstein was cut off by a staff member who appeared to tell the senator that the committee was still in the process of calling roll.
"Just say, 'Aye,'" Murray told Feinstein once more.
"Okay, just..." Feinstein said as she appeared to remain confused about what was taking place at the time.
Laughing, Feinstein then appeared to realize her mistake and said, "Aye."
A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN'S MOST TROUBLESOME MOMENTS IN THE SENATE
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Feinstein spokesperson explained that the meeting had gotten somewhat "chaotic."
"Trying to complete all of the appropriations bills before recess, the committee markup this morning was a little chaotic, constantly switching back and forth between statements, votes, and debate and the order of bills. The senator was preoccupied, didn't realize debate had just ended and a vote was called. She started to give a statement, was informed it was a vote and then cast her vote."
Feinstein, who was first elected to represent the Golden State in the Senate in 1992, announced in February that she would not be running for re-election in 2024.
"I campaigned in 2018 on several priorities for California and the nation: preventing and combating wildfires, mitigating the effects of record-setting drought, responding to the homelessness crisis and ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, high-quality health care," she said at the time. "Congress has enacted legislation on all of these topics over the past several years, but more needs to be done — and I will continue these efforts."
On March 2, Feinstein revealed that she had been hospitalized with shingles in San Francisco, but said she hoped to return to the Senate later that month.
After being absent from the chamber for almost three months following the diagnosis, Feinstein returned to work at the Capitol on May 11.
With the help of her staff, Feinstein was rolled into the Capitol via a wheelchair as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., walked alongside her. Her return to work restored the Democrats' 51-49 majority in the Senate.
The incident involving Feinstein on Thursday came one day after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, appeared to freeze up during a news conference with other Republican leaders following their weekly party luncheon on Wednesday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has contacted all sides of the strikes that have hobbled Hollywood, his office said Wednesday, offering to help broker a deal to restart an industry that is crucial to keeping the state's economy humming amid signs of weakness.
So far, neither studio executives nor actors and writers have shown formal interest in bringing Newsom to the negotiating table, said Anthony York, Newsom's senior adviser for communications. But York said both Newsom and senior members of his administration have been in touch with all sides as the two strikes stretch deeper into the summer blockbuster season.
"It's clear that the sides are still far apart, but he is deeply concerned about the impact a prolonged strike can have on the regional and state economy," York said. He further noted "thousands of jobs depend directly or indirectly on Hollywood getting back to work," including crew, staff and catering.
The last time the writers went on strike more than a decade ago, the 100-day work stoppage cost the state's economy an estimated $2 billion. The economic hit could be even bigger this time around now that actors have joined the picket lines. The strikes come after Newsom signed a state budget that included a more than $31 billion deficit in part because of a slowdown in the tech sector, another one of the state's key industries.
The writers have been on strike since May, and the actors joined them earlier this month. Both unions have concerns about how they will be paid in an age where fewer people are paying to go to the movies or watch cable TV in favor of streaming services. And they are worried how the rise of artificial intelligence will affect the creative process of how movies and TV shows are made and who is paid to make them.
The Democratic governor first offered to help mediate a deal in May, shortly after the writers strike began, saying he was sympathetic to their concerns about streaming and artificial intelligence.
Now in his final term in office, Newsom has worked hard to boost his national profile as he sets his sights on life after the governor's office. He is widely considered a future presidential contender, though he has said he has no plans to run. Any role for Newsom to help end strikes halting one of the country's most recognizable industries could bolster his status on the national stage.
Labor actions have lit up California this summer, and it has become common for politicians and their allies to step in to broker deals. New Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, for example, helped negotiate an end to a strike by Los Angeles school staff. Acting Biden administration Labor Secretary Julie Su, a former California labor leader, helped reach an end to a contract dispute at Southern California ports.
CALIFORNIA EXPANDING PILOT PROGRAM TO FIGHT METH ADDICTION WITH GIFT CARDS, INCENTIVES
Asked about Newsom's involvement, Bass spokesman Zach Seidl said in a statement that "this is a historic inflection point for our city. ... We continue to engage with labor leaders, studio heads, elected leaders and other impacted parties to arrive at a fair and equitable solution."
York declined to say who Newsom has spoken with, either on the unions' side or the studios. Representatives for the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers declined to comment.
Hollywood isn't just a major economic driver in California — it's also a fundraising powerhouse for mostly Democratic candidates, including Newsom. In 2021, when Newsom was facing a recall election that could have removed him from office, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings donated $3 million to help defeat it. He has received smaller contributions from executives at Disney, Sony and Lionsgate. Prominent directors and producers like Stephen Spielberg and Chuck Lorre have also donated to his campaigns.
Newsom's relationships with some of Hollywood's most powerful executives could potentially help him in any negotiations over the strikes as he continues to advocate for the causes of the workers. Newsom also has a connection to Hollywood through his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who used to be an actor and is now a documentary director.
Also this year, Newsom signed a law to extend tax credits for movie and television productions. The big change is that those tax credits will be refundable, meaning if a movie studio has credits that are worth more than what it owes in taxes, the state will pay the studio the difference in cash.
A top commander at the U.S. Army Garrison West Point has been suspended, officials said.
The U.S. Military Academy's Public Affairs Office confirmed the suspension of Col. Anthony Bianchi with Fox News Digital but did not provide further details.
"U.S. Army Garrison West Point Commander has been suspended of his duties for alleged conduct pending the outcome of an investigation," it said in a statement.
'WOKENESS,' POLITICIZATION OF THE MILITARY 'ALARMING,' WARNS REP. MICHAEL WALTZ
Bianchi, from Tampa, Florida, took command of the U.S. Army Garrison West Point last year. He was commissioned as a field artillery officer from West Point in 1997," according to his biography.
He also played Army football. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during his career.
West Point recently drew attention from Capitol Hill when some Republicans demanded answers from the military academy over the school's role-play exercise for cadets on "respecting the pronouns people prefer."
Republican Reps. Michael Waltz of Florida and Jim Banks of Indiana sent a letter to West Point superintendent Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland regarding a leaked "facilitator guide" for role-play exercises involving academy cadets.
