Summary (tl;dr)

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was asked to leave The Croissanterie, a restaurant in Little Rock, due to her political views reportedly making staff feel "threatened and uncomfortable," sparking a national conversation about political civility and public conduct.

Essential Background

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a prominent political figure and former White House press secretary, has previously been involved in similar incidents where she was asked to leave a restaurant due to her political affiliations. This prior event, involving The Red Hen restaurant in Virginia in 2018, set a precedent for public and media reactions to such confrontations involving elected officials.

The Full Story

On Friday, March 13, 2026, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her party were asked to leave The Croissanterie in Little Rock, Arkansas, after dining for over an hour. According to statements from the Governor's office, the restaurant owner approached her security detail and stated that Sanders' presence made employees feel "threatened and uncomfortable" because of her political views. The Croissanterie, however, provided a different account, denying claims that anyone felt "threatened" and suggesting the request was also tied to a 90-minute table limit and concerns among guests and staff about her presence. As the Governor and her group departed, reports indicate a man near the staff shouted "it's time to go" and made a rude gesture. Both the Sanders administration and The Croissanterie have released statements addressing the incident, leading to conflicting narratives.

Why It Matters

This incident has quickly gained national attention, igniting widespread debate over the intersection of politics, public conduct, and civility in everyday settings. It has prompted discussions about whether businesses have the right to deny service based on political views and how elected officials should be treated in public spaces. The event highlights ongoing political divisions and the challenges of maintaining civil discourse in a highly polarized environment.

Geographic Location

• Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States (Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders asked to leave The Croissanterie)