White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders will receive US Secret Service protection at her home on a temporary basis, the media reported.
The news came days after Sanders was refused service at a small Lexington, Virginia, restaurant because of her role in the Trump administration, a move that has since sparked a national conversation on civility and public service in the age of President Donald Trump.
The Secret Service declined to comment on Tuesday, telling CNN: “For operational security purposes the Secret Service does not comment on its protective operations.”
CBS News cited sources as saying that other White House staff members were likely to receive similar protection. Trump can personally sign off on additional protections for members of the White House staff.
Speaking about the restaurant incident during a White House press briefing, Sanders had said she and her husband “politely left”.
“I was asked to leave because I worked for President Trump,” she said, adding, “We are allowed to disagree but we should be able to do so freely and without fear of harm, and this goes for all people regardless of politics.”
She continued: “Healthy debate on ideas and political philosophy is important, but the calls for harassment and push for any Trump supporter to avoid the public is unacceptable.”