In a recent development, a congressional advisory committee has given a nod to provide US Secret Service protection to Nikki Haley, the GOP presidential candidate. This decision comes in light of Haley’s request for enhanced security due to threats she has been facing, according to an insider.
The recommendation is now en route to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who will make the final call. The decision will be based on a variety of factors, the source added. Mayorkas, who recently made history as the first Cabinet secretary to be impeached in 150 years, is currently attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
A second source, also familiar with the situation, told CNN that the protective detail is likely to be approved. If approved, Haley could have a protective detail as early as next week. The Secret Service has several protection teams on standby, ready to be dispatched. One of these teams would be assigned to safeguard the former South Carolina governor on the same day the authorization is granted, the first source confirmed.
The congressional advisory committee responsible for determining if a presidential candidate qualifies for protection includes the House speaker, House minority whip, Senate majority and minority leaders, and an additional member chosen by the panel. However, the committee’s recommendation is just one of many factors that Mayorkas will take into account when making the final decision on Haley’s Secret Service protection.
Other factors Mayorkas will consider include an assessment by the Secret Service of threats directed towards the candidate, whether the candidate has maintained a national polling average of 15% or more for 30 consecutive days, and whether the candidate is the formal or de facto nominee of a major party for president or vice president.
Currently, Haley is the last major challenger to former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary. Her campaign had requested Secret Service protection earlier this month due to threats she has been receiving. There have been reports of two swatting incidents at Haley’s South Carolina residence in recent months, one of which occurred while her parents were present.
Neither Haley’s campaign nor the Department of Homeland Security have commented on the matter. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.