Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign has accumulated $1.4 million in debt to a private security firm, despite the Biden administration repeatedly denying his requests for Secret Service protection.
In February, Kennedy's campaign raised $3.1 million but spent $2.8 million, as per the latest Federal Election Commission filing. Additionally, the campaign owes $1.4 million to Gavin De Becker and Associates, a private security firm owned by De Becker, a security specialist and longtime friend of Kennedy.
Excluding the debt, the campaign paid over $200,000 last month for security services and related travel expenses, totaling more than $2 million to Gavin de Becker & Associates.
De Becker has donated millions to the pro-Kennedy super PAC American Values 2024, with a recent $4 million contribution. This makes him the largest donor to the super PAC, second only to Republican mega-donor Tim Mellon.
Despite raising nearly $28 million since starting his campaign in April 2023, Kennedy has spent heavily, reporting $5 million in cash on hand at the end of February. In comparison, Biden's campaign had $71 million, and former President Trump's campaign had $33.5 million in cash on hand.
Kennedy criticized Biden for rejecting multiple requests for Secret Service protection while on the campaign trail, citing documented death threats against him. Even after a man was arrested twice for trespassing at Kennedy's home in one day, Homeland Security denied Kennedy's request for protection.
These events highlight the financial challenges and security concerns faced by Kennedy's campaign, as well as the ongoing debate over the need for Secret Service protection in the current political landscape.
