Dr. Ben Carson says he's in "great danger" and in need of protection from the Secret Service because what he called "the secular progressive movement" is afraid of him.

Conflicting headlines — such as one from Fox News — said Carson was already close to having Secret Service protection activated. Meanwhile, a Washington Post story threw cold water on the report citing an official saying the Department of Homeland Security was still debating the matter.

"I'd prefer not to talk about security issues but I have recognized — and people have been telling me for many many months — that I'm in great danger, because I challenge the secular progressive movement to the very core," Carson told WABC radio's Rita Cosby Show on Thursday. "You know, they see me as an existential threat but I also believe in the good lord and we take reasonable precautions."

Carson said threats against were indeed serious, which was why the Secret Service was considering protecting him.

"I believe the threats are serious," he said. "They wouldn't even be considering this if the threats were not serious."