A consultant closely associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s bid for the presidency has found himself embroiled in legal troubles after being charged with assault in Manhattan.
Trent Pool, a key figure in the campaign’s efforts to secure ballot access, was arrested following an incident at the Soho Grand Hotel, where he allegedly engaged in physical altercation with a 25-year-old woman.
According to reports from the New York Police Department, Pool stands accused of wrapping his hand around the woman’s neck during a verbal dispute, obstructing her breathing, and subsequently striking her in the face. Despite the severity of the accusations, the woman declined medical attention at the scene.
Legal Troubles and Ballot Access Strategy Under Scrutiny in Wake of Allegations
Pool’s attorney maintains his innocence, stating firmly that his client denies any wrongdoing and looks forward to clearing his name in court. The consultant, released on bond shortly after his arrest, is set to make his initial court appearance in June.
As part of Kennedy’s campaign team, Pool has been instrumental in going overthe complex scenario of ballot access across various states. Working closely with the campaign’s legal counsel and ballot access director, Pool has played a pivotal role in shaping strategy and overcoming legal challenges.
His firm, Accelevate 2020, has been deeply involved in the campaign, with Kennedy’s team having paid nearly $390,000 for their consulting services.
Pool’s expertise has been particularly valuable in integrating professional petition circulators into the campaign’s volunteer-driven signature gathering operation.
Additionally, public records reveal that a super PAC supporting Kennedy’s candidacy has shelled out $1.1 million to Public Appeal LLC, a firm co-founded by Pool and his brother, for ballot access work.
Despite the allegations against Pool, the Kennedy campaign remains steadfast, with a spokesperson asserting that the accused consultant maintains the incident never occurred.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the ramifications of this development on Kennedy’s presidential aspirations remain uncertain.
