Kamala Harris has drawn criticism in Los Angeles after it emerged that elite LAPD officers were diverted from active cases to provide 24/7 security at her Brentwood home, following President Trump’s decision to end her extended federal protection.
The arrangement comes after President Donald Trump revoked Harris’ extended Secret Service protection. Former vice presidents are typically granted federal protection for six months, but then-President Biden, at Harris’ request, granted her an unusual extension well beyond the standard six months, a benefit few other former officials have received.
Now that Trump has rolled that back, city resources are picking up the slack and Angelenos are not happy.
Reality stars and residents lash out
Among those blasting the decision was reality star Spencer Pratt, who took to X to vent: “NEWSOM AND KAREN BASS HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO HAVE LAPD AND CHP PROTECT KAMALA HARRIS BUT NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE AREN’T TRESPASSING ON OUR DIRT LOT IN THE PALISADES AND DOING SELFIES??????!!!!”
Local Republican official Lisa Cusack was even harsher, writing: “Democrat elites truly have no souls.”
Mayor Karen Bass, meanwhile, defended the protection, accusing Trump of “political retaliation” and vowing to work with Governor Gavin Newsom to keep Harris safe.
Trump’s firm stance
Supporters say Trump’s decision restores fairness, pointing out that his own former vice president, Mike Pence, did not receive any special extensions. And in Harris’ case, a recent Secret Service threat assessment found no credible threats to Harris, underscoring Trump’s argument that extended coverage was unnecessary.
Book tour drama
The controversy comes as Harris prepares to embark on a 15-stop international book tour promoting her memoir 107 Days, which reflects on her short-lived presidential campaign.
But the timing of her LAPD protection, just as she launches her publicity blitz, has only fueled public anger in a city already grappling with rising crime and strained police resources.
Politics, power, and protection
This isn’t the first time Trump has made headlines for cutting off extended protection for political adversaries. During his second presidency, he also rescinded security details for figures such as former national security adviser John Bolton and even members of Biden’s family.
Yet, he has never hesitated to secure safety for his own inner circle, extending Secret Service coverage for his family after leaving office in 2021.
For critics, Harris’ LAPD security is an abuse of local resources. For supporters, it’s another example of Trump challenging Washington privilege and applying the same rules equally, even to powerful political rivals.
