Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked to leave a local Virginia restaurant Friday, she says, because she works for President Trump. The restaurant has not made a public statement, so the only proof is Sanders’ tweet (via her official government Twitter account, which some say may be a violation of law), a tweet by a Virginia environmental activist, and a Facebook post from someone who says he is the server who told her she was not welcome.
This person in Virginia who says he was her server makes the situation clear:
Ignoring Huckabee Sanders’ lie, that she always treats people “respectfully,” does she deserve pity? Was the action unlawful? Was she discriminated against?
No.
Being a part of the Trump administration is not a protected class. The restaurant did not ask her to leave because she’s a woman, or for her race, or religion. And as far as we known press secretaries have not historically suffered discrimination.
Try telling that to Republicans and the far right, who are apoplectic, outraged, furious that she was asked to leave a farm-to-table restaurant. Some are even comparing her to same-sex couples suffering illegal discrimination, which is not an accurate comparison:
Many on the right are calling to boycott the restaurant, which will be hard since it’s not a chain. Others are posting on social media, telling their friends and supporters to make reservations at the restaurant and then not show up, which is juvenile.
Meanwhile, some voices of reason: