Report: Trump Wants Secret Service to Protect Sanders

In what may be a first in US history, the White House press secretary is reportedly going to receive protection from the Secret Service. A source tells NBC News that the service will protect the home of Sarah Sanders on a temporary basis starting Wednesday. President Trump has the power to sign off on Secret Service protection for any staff member, and sources tell CBS News that it is possible that he will grant extra protection to other high-profile employees soon. The move comes as controversy rages after the Red Hen restaurant in Virginia refused to serve Sanders last Friday. Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters later called for the public to confront members of the Trump administration whenever they could.

The Secret Service won't say whether it is protecting Sanders. "For operational security purposes the Secret Service does not comment on its protective operations," a spokesperson tells CNN. The Secret Service usually protects current and former presidents and their families, along with foreign heads of state and major presidential candidates, reports Fortune, which calls it an "unusual level of protection" for a press secretary. Congressional leaders and Cabinet members also sometimes receive Secret Service protection. (Elaine Chao and husband Mitch McConnell were confronted by protesters Monday night.)