QUESTION: After a security scare in Los Angeles for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, many are calling for Secret Service protection for the contenders. So how does that work? We asked @SecretService officials. Follow this thread for the answer. 
ANSWER: “In order to get protection:
First the candidates have to request it. They must write a letter an official letter to the secretary of DHS and ask for the protection. DHS doesn't just offer the protection because of the optics involved.
First the candidates have to request it. They must write a letter an official letter to the secretary of DHS and ask for the protection. DHS doesn't just offer the protection because of the optics involved.
There are several qualifications each candidate must meet:
1. Are they publicly announced and have they filed with the federal elections commission?
2. Are they actively campaigning on a national basis? And has a threat assessment indicating possible threats to them been done?
1. Are they publicly announced and have they filed with the federal elections commission?
2. Are they actively campaigning on a national basis? And has a threat assessment indicating possible threats to them been done?
3. And how well is the candidate polling also factors in.
Then, Secret Service at the direction of the secretary of homeland security performs a threat assessment of the candidate.
Next the secretary meets with congressional advisory committee made up of the leadership of both houses of Congress plus either the sergeant at arms in the house or the sergeant at arms in the Senate.
The letter is presented along with the information in the threat assessment.
They then decide if protection is warranted.
Even if the advisory committee denies it. The secretary of DHS can come back and initiate coverage.
They then decide if protection is warranted.
Even if the advisory committee denies it. The secretary of DHS can come back and initiate coverage.
At that point Secret Service meets with the candidate(s), explain how it works and the security starts immediately after the meeting concludes.”
Here are more in-depth details. secretservice.gov/about/faqs/
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