(Corrects to last month from this month in paragraph 2)

WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The Department of Homeland Security has authorized U.S. Secret Service protection for Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ben Carson, ABC news tweeted on Thursday.

Last month, the two candidates formally requested 24-hour protection, which could involve nearly 300 agents from the Secret Service, the agency that guards the president and other high-profile political figures. (Reporting by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Susan Heavey)

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