Bernie Sanders, who has not yet officially bowed out of the 2016 presidential race, is still being protected by U.S. Secret Service agents on the taxpayer’s dime.
After Hillary Clinton clinched the Democratic party’s nomination, the Vermont senator gave a concession speech on Thursday without formally declaring the end of his campaign. Many Sanders supporters have acknowledged that it’s all but impossible for him to be the Democratic nominee, but since he’s still in technically the running for president, he benefits from around-the-clock Secret Service protection, which can cost taxpayers more than $38,000 a day, the Washington Post reports.
Sanders is protected by a team of agents who guard his home from a small watch station on his property, according to the newspaper. The agents also travel with him on planes and use a motorcade when going through cities.
The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security can grant protection to “major” presidential candidates who request it, usually until the candidate suspends his campaign, according to the Post.
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Sanders aides declined to comment on the Secret Service protection when asked by the Post.
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