Nikki Haley seeks Secret Service protection, citing ‘multiple issues’
Nikki Haley, the primary remaining contender to Donald Trump for the Republican nomination, has formally requested Secret Service protection citing various security concerns.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the presidential hopeful emphasized the necessity for heightened security due to “multiple issues.” Despite these challenges, she affirmed to the paper, “It’s not going to deter me from fulfilling my responsibilities.”
Currently trailing behind Mr. Trump in opinion polls, Ms. Haley has faced pressure from the former president to withdraw from the race and consolidate the party’s support against Democrat Joe Biden.
While campaigning, the former UN ambassador and South Carolina governor relies on personal security measures and local police presence at events.
Reflecting on the realities of her campaign, she acknowledged to reporters in South Carolina last week, “When you engage in this kind of endeavor, threats inevitably arise.”
“It’s just the reality.”
“That’s not going to deter me,” she said.
“Does it mean we have to put a few more bodies around this? Yes, that’s fine.”
Any decision to provide her with a Secret Service security detail would be made by the US Secretary of Homeland Security, who would first confer with a joint congressional committee. The BBC has contacted the Homeland Security Department for comment.
Ms Haley’s home was recently targeted by a swatting hoax, in which a call to emergency services is made by someone trying to trigger a response from a heavily armed police squad.
She said that she was not home at the time, but her elderly parents were there with a caregiver.
Protesters have shown up at Ms Haley’s campaign events to criticize her support for Israel and Ukraine.
Secret Service protection is granted to “major” candidates under federal law, usually when they look certain to become their party’s nominee.
As a former US president, Mr Trump gets Secret Service protection for life.
Independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has repeatedly asked for Secret Service protection but said he was denied.
His uncle, President John F Kennedy, and his father, Senator Robert Kennedy, were both killed by assassins while in office.
Since announcing his candidacy, he has faced at least two significant threats, including an armed man posing as a member of his security detail at a campaign event.
Barack Obama was granted Secret Service protection in May 2007, unusually early in that election cycle, amid safety concerns as he campaigned to be the nation’s first black president.
