Secret Service reviewing protection requests for Trump, Carson

Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Secret Service is reviewing requests for protection from Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ben Carson, the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday. The homeland security secretary authorizes protection after consulting with congressional leaders. "The Department of Homeland Security has now received official requests for Secret Service protection from both the Carson and Trump campaigns," spokesman SY Lee said. The requests, if approved, would activate 24-hour protection from the two candidates, involving 260 agents, Fox News reported on Monday, citing unidentified sources. Newsmax first reported over the weekend that the Secret Service would provide protection to Carson and Trump and also heavily upgrade Democrat Hillary Clinton's detail. It said the Secret Service offered protection to Carson after an increasing number of threats and evidence that homegrown militants might be targeting a political candidate. (Reporting by Washington newsroom; Editing by Eric Beech and Peter Cooney)