Apparently RFK's campaign is asking for it in part because of the FBI killing the guy who threatened Biden. But I thought after Bobby Kennedy's assassination/shooting George Wallace it was automatic?
Genuine question, do candidates not get automatic Secret Service protection? They do not. Kennedy can afford his own.
Not this far out from the election. But: https://www.secretservice.gov/about/faq/general So pretty much after the primaries, the Dem / Rep nominees get protection if they didn't already have them. 3rd party candidates wouldn't though.
Well the "Major" is up for interpretation but I bet if there was any suspicion of a threat to even minor candidate the Secret Service would take some action.