Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a third-party candidate in this presidential election cycle. He is a relatively significant contender because of his allure as a Kennedy. Unlike other third-party prospects, he has attracted a sizable percentage of support. His uncle, John F. Kennedy, and father, Robert F. Kennedy, both were significant forces in politics — one as U.S. president and the other as heir apparent. Both were murdered by assassins.

That last detail is particularly poignant. After the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday, it became glaringly obvious that every frontrunner in this race should have the benefit of Secret Service protection. Kennedy was denied this multiple times by President Joe Biden via Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Mayorkas initially said that Kennedy’s protection was “not warranted.” This is despite the Secret Service website saying that presidential candidates are eligible for protection. Kennedy retorted that this was yet another example of Biden using the deep state bureaucracy to target his political opponents. Trump chimed in on Monday, saying, “In light of what is going on in the world today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection — immediately. Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!”

To which Kennedy responded, “It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one’s protection. Maybe our country can unite after all.”

It is a hopeful sign for our country when a political opponent calls for one’s protection. Maybe our country can unite after all. pic.twitter.com/Nfd3yXAh1F

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 15, 2024

Early this week, the Biden administration, unable to hedge any longer, finally agreed to provide Secret Service protection to RFK Jr.

Kennedy’s response to Trump was in stark contrast to his earlier comments in a Fox News interview, wherein he chided, “I don’t think either of those presidents could be trusted to safeguard our Constitution.” He added that they have “both ravaged American democracy and the republic.”

It certainly seems that Kennedy and Trump might be, if not exactly uniting, at least able to start working together.

Further indications of this were leaked by RFK Jr.‘s son, who apparently inadvertently posted a conversation online between Trump and Kennedy after Saturday’s shooting. It has since been taken down, but not before making the rounds on the Internet. With regard to Biden’s performance, Trump told Kennedy, “We’re going to win; we’re way ahead of the guy.” To which Kennedy replied, “Yeah.” Trump also broached future plans regarding vaccines, telling Kennedy, “I would love you to do stuff, and I think it would be so big for you.”

RFK Jr. posted an apology on his social media for the leak, saying, “When President Trump called me I was taping with an in-house videographer. I should have ordered the videographer to stop recording immediately. I am mortified that this was posted. I apologize to the president.”

When President Trump called me I was taping with an in-house videographer. I should have ordered the videographer to stop recording immediately. I am mortified that this was posted. I apologize to the president.

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) July 16, 2024

It’s an interesting quasi-alliance, and it’s a better display of unity than our current commander-in-chief is capable of showing. Biden wants his opponents to lower the temperature of their rhetoric. Just not for himself or his supporters.