An armed individual was taken into custody during a campaign event in Los Angeles for Democratic presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed the incident, which involved a man named Adrian Paul Aispuro, aged 44. Booking records indicate that Aispuro is currently detained on felony charges and a bail of $35,000.
The Incident
Aispuro was allegedly seen wearing shoulder holsters that contained loaded pistols and spare ammunition magazines. Additionally, he was found to be carrying a U.S. Marshal badge on a lanyard and belt clip federal ID. These details were shared by Kennedy on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
Kennedy’s post also mentioned that the candidate’s private security team managed to detain the suspect until LAPD officers arrived at the scene. It was reported that Aispuro had attempted to approach Kennedy during the event and falsely claimed to be a member of the candidate’s security detail.
Kennedy’s Request for Secret Service Protection
In response to this alarming incident, Robert Kennedy Jr. reiterated his request to the White House for Secret Service protection. He expressed his hope that President Biden would grant him this crucial security measure. Notably, Kennedy stated that he is “the first presidential candidate in history to whom the White House has denied a request for protection.”
Historical Context
Secret Service protection for major presidential and vice presidential candidates and their spouses within 120 days of a general presidential election is a well-established practice. This protection was introduced following the assassination of Democratic nominee Robert F. Kennedy in Los Angeles in 1968 when Congress amended the law to authorize such security measures.
Former President Barack Obama notably received Secret Service protection in May 2007, a step characterized as “unusually early” by The New York Times at the time.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures for presidential candidates as they navigate the campaign trail.
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