On Sunday, reports started to emerge that a “solo” protester had been spotted walking down a road toward the residence of President Joe Biden, who was staying overnight in Delaware. The man was seen to be armed, wearing a neon yellow and orange safety vest, khaki cargo shorts, tan boots, and socks, and carrying a sign that referenced findings related to allegations of corruption.
The Secret Service responded in a short statement saying that the individual was “expressing his constitutional rights” and had no impact on the movements of the president. The man was noted to be carrying a sign that said, “Biden is a criminal, 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.
The incident occurred the day after a man posing as a U.S. Marshal and armed with a loaded gun was arrested outside an event for Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in Los Angeles. The man, 44-year-old Adrian Paul Aispuro, was later booked on felony charges. Following the incident, Robert F. Kennedy took to Twitter to thank law enforcement and call upon President Biden to protect him with the Secret Service.
Protester shows up near the street where @POTUS lives, carrying a gun (in the open carry state of Delaware); Secret Service vehicle follows him down the road. pic.twitter.com/1D9D2g7Bfy
— Andrea Shalal (@andrea_shalal) September 17, 2023
Security around Biden will likely be tightened as a result of the incidents. Reports have indicated that Secret Service vehicles were spotted following the man down the road and the president’s motorcade drove past him as he began his journey back to Washington, D.C. While Delaware is an open-carry state, the fact that the man was openly displaying a weapon near the president’s residence raises serious security concerns.
The protester’s motive is unclear at the time of reporting, but his sign’s reference to allegations of corruption may have been intended to draw attention to the recent announcement of an impeachment inquiry in the House, which was initiated due to claims of wrongdoing. So far, President Biden has strongly rejected the claims and denied any involvement.
It’s important to note that the public needs to remember to remain civil and refrain from any potentially dangerous behavior. It’s also essential to always follow the law and leave any security decisions to the Secret Service. Only in this way can the safety of the president and the country be assured.
An armed demonstrator carries a sign along Barley Mill Road near the residence of U.S. President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware, September 17, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Brenner pic.twitter.com/merUymsM87
— Tom Brenner (@tombrennerphoto) September 17, 2023
