Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is no longer receiving Secret Service protection, a decision that comes shortly after he suspended his campaign in battleground states and endorsed Donald Trump. The move, confirmed by the Secret Service and Kennedy’s campaign, has ignited controversy given the political dynamics surrounding Kennedy’s recent shift.

Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service chief of communications, confirmed that Kennedy “is no longer a protectee” following his announcement to scale back his campaign in favor of Trump. While it is standard procedure to end Secret Service protection when a candidate suspends their campaign, the timing of this decision has fueled suspicions of political interference.

Kennedy’s Secret Service protection had already been a contentious issue, with his requests being denied multiple times before finally being granted in July. The decision to offer him protection came after an assassination attempt on Trump, during which Kennedy’s own security concerns were thrust into the spotlight. The latest development reinforces Kennedy’s long-standing claims that federal agencies are being used to target him for political reasons.

Now that Kennedy is actively campaigning for Trump in key states, his security situation remains in flux. His campaign has not provided further details on whether he will rehire private security, but the abrupt loss of Secret Service protection raises questions about the risks he may face moving forward. The decision has only deepened concerns about the role of politics in shaping critical government decisions in today’s highly charged environment.