Armed Protester Spotted Near President Biden's Delaware Home, Incident Raises Security Concerns
An individual carrying a sign and what appeared to be a holstered firearm was observed near President Joe Biden's residence in Wilmington, Delaware, on Sunday. The incident has raised questions about the adequacy of security measures for public figures, coming just two days after an armed man was arrested at an event featuring Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Los Angeles.
According to eyewitness accounts from reporters on the scene, the protester was dressed in a neon yellow-and-orange safety vest, khaki cargo shorts, tan boots, and socks. He was seen walking down a road leading to Biden's home. The man's sign read, "Bidens are criminals, 20 shell companies?! Where's the laptop? 10% for the big guy" on one side, and "Joe has aliases?! Robert L. Peters, Robin Ware, JRN Ware" on the other.
Delaware is an open-carry state, meaning that it is generally legal to openly carry a firearm. However, the presence of an armed individual near the President's residence has raised eyebrows, especially given the recent arrest of an armed man impersonating a federal officer at a Kennedy campaign event.
A Secret Service vehicle was reportedly seen following the protester, although it remains unclear whether the man was asked to leave the area or taken into custody. Secret Service spokesperson Steve Kopek stated that the individual, who was "expressing his constitutional rights," had "no impact on any of the Secret Service's protectees' movements."
President Biden, who arrived in Wilmington on Friday and attended a church service on Saturday, returned to the White House on Sunday before heading to New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Biden and his family often spend weekends at their Wilmington home or in Rehoboth, Delaware, where the President usually does not attract large crowds.
The incident has reignited discussions about the security of political figures. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is currently running for President, revealed that his requests for Secret Service protection have been denied. Kennedy plans to reapply for protection this month, stating on social media platform X, "I am the first presidential candidate in history to whom the White House has denied a request for protection."
As the country grapples with heightened political tensions, the presence of an armed protester near the President's home serves as a stark reminder of the potential security risks faced by public figures. While the Secret Service maintains that the incident had no impact on their protective duties, it nonetheless raises questions about the balance between individual constitutional rights and the safety of the nation's leaders.
