Biden now under Secret Service protection

Former Vice President Joe Biden is now under Secret Service protection, the agency confirmed on Tuesday. 

“The U.S. Secret Service can confirm that we have initiated full protective coverage for Democratic Presidential Candidate and former Vice President Joseph Biden,” Secret Service spokesman Vincent Tutoni said in a statement.

The development was first reported by CNN and NBC News.

Biden’s code name will be “Celtic,” CNN reported, citing two unidentified sources. It’s the same code name Biden had when he served as vice president. 

Biden’s national press secretary, TJ Ducklo, said the campaign does not comment on security measures. 

The Secret Service protection follows a high-profile protest earlier this month at Biden’s rally in Los Angeles on Super Tuesday. Two animal rights protesters stormed the stage. 

The activists previously told The Hill that the security wasn’t tight and there was “easy access to get to” Biden.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the department had not received a recommendation from Congress to provide Secret Service protection for any presidential candidate. 

Biden’s campaign submitted its formal request for Secret Service protection last week, a congressional official told CNN. 

To receive protection, a candidate can submit a letter to request protection to Congress. The Congressional Protection Advisory Committee submits a recommendation to DHS. 

Biden and his chief opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), have had to halt their traditional campaigning amid the coronavirus outbreak. Both candidates have canceled rallies, opting instead for virtual rallies that limit the large crowds health experts have recommended against as the pandemic presses on. 

–This report was updated at 2:00 p.m.