Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked to leave a restaurant in her home state after employees claimed her presence made them uncomfortable due to her political views, marking the second time the Republican official has faced such treatment at a dining establishment.
Restaurant Orders Governor to Leave After 90 Minutes
Sanders visited The Croissanterie on Friday, March 13, accompanied by her security detail. After the group had been seated for over an hour, already paid, and tipped the staff, the restaurant owner approached a security team member requesting the governor’s departure. According to Sanders’s office, staff expressed concerns that her presence made employees feel threatened and uncomfortable because of her conservative political positions.
The restaurant’s statement claimed they approached the security detail twice over a 90-minute period as the table seating limit approached. Camera footage later confirmed a security member sent Sanders a message following the initial request, though she did not see it immediately. Once received, Sanders and her party departed without incident. As they left, an individual with restaurant staff shouted at them and made a crude hand gesture toward the governor.
Restaurant Defends Decision to Support Staff
The Croissanterie released a lengthy statement defending their choice, acknowledging they faced consequences regardless of their decision. Management said allowing Sanders to remain could appear as lack of support for their team, while asking her to leave could be viewed as denying service based on differing beliefs. The restaurant ultimately chose to support employees who expressed discomfort, though they noted not recalling anyone saying they felt threatened.
The establishment clarified the person who made the inappropriate hand gesture was a customer, not an employee, and that the matter has been addressed. They also stated many guests remained unaware of the situation and there was no applause or disruption during the incident.
History Repeats for Sanders
This incident mirrors a similar situation in 2018 when Sanders served as President Donald Trump’s press secretary and was asked to leave a Virginia restaurant. Governor Sanders responded to the recent incident with characteristic grace, stating that Arkansans are known for warm hospitality and the restaurant certainly does not meet that standard. She emphasized her administration will continue focusing on lifting Arkansans up rather than tearing others down with discrimination and hate. Fox News Digital reached out to The Croissanterie for specific details about what made employees uncomfortable but received no response.