Secret Service said it has not yet received any requests from Democrats running for president for protection.
Typically, candidates submit a request for federal protection that must be approved by congressional leaders and the head of the Homeland Security Department.
“At this time, no candidates have requested protection. The Department of Homeland Security in 2017 established a formal process for candidates to request U.S. Secret Service protection. The first step of the process is for a candidate to meet established criteria and formally request protection through the Department of Homeland Security,” spokeswoman Cathy Milhoan said in a statement Thursday.
The debate over whether candidates should receive protection earlier than is typical in the election process was spurred by dairy industry protesters rushing the stage while Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden gave remarks in Texas on Super Tuesday.
Biden’s wife, Jill, and members of his campaign staff blocked the protesters from reaching the former vice president.
Topless dairy industry protesters also interrupted a Bernie Sanders campaign event in Nevada last month.
There have since been calls for Biden and his rival Sanders to receive protection.
“I’m probably the only candidate running for president whose wife is my Secret Service. Whoa, you don’t screw around with a Philly girl, I’ll tell you what,” Biden joked Wednesday at a fundraiser.
