Politics is getting more dangerous by the day. But this is beyond the pale.
Because an attempt on this presidential candidate’s life is setting D.C. on fire.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has sought for Secret Service protection due to increased threats on the campaign trail, her team confirmed to Fox News on Monday.
The former two-term South Carolina governor, who later served as U.N. ambassador during former President Donald Trump’s administration, is Trump’s last significant rival for the GOP candidacy in 2024.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Monday afternoon, Haley explained her appeal for protection.
“We’ve had multiple issues,” said the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador following a campaign event in Aiken, South Carolina.
“It’s not going to stop me from doing what I need to do.”
At a news conference in Columbia, South Carolina late last week, Haley was asked about additional security at her appearances.
“When you do something like this, you get threats,” she told reporters.
“It’s just the reality.”
Haley highlighted the need to “put a few more bodies around us,” but said it had no effect on her campaign.
“At the end of the day, we’re going to go out there and touch every hand, we’re going to answer every question, we’re going to make sure that we are there and doing everything that we need to,” she added.
Hours after Haley talked with reporters, a heckler was removed from her campaign event in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Haley, once a long shot for the nomination, gained ground in the polls in the late summer and autumn, thanks in part to strong performances in the first three GOP presidential primary debates.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stepped out of the campaign last month, two days before the Jan. 23 New Hampshire primary, leaving the nomination battle as a two-candidate confrontation between Haley and Trump, who is the clear frontrunner as he seeks a third term in the White House.
Haley won 43% of the vote in New Hampshire, trailing Trump by 11 points.
The next major Republican contest is Haley’s home state, which holds its GOP primary on February 24.
The most recent public opinion poll shows the former president with a sizable double-digit lead against Haley.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
