In a controversial move, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's elite Metro Division have been reassigned from their usual duties to provide security for former Vice President Kamala Harris.
This decision follows President Trump's revocation of Harris's Secret Service protection, which had been extended by President Biden beyond the standard period.
According to RedState, the reassignment of LAPD officers has sparked significant debate. Local station Fox 11 reported that "Metro officers have been pulled from working cases to provide Harris protection," a move that has drawn criticism from various quarters.
These officers, previously engaged in crime suppression efforts, are now tasked with safeguarding Harris at her Brentwood residence, where she lives with her husband, Doug Emhoff.
The decision to revoke Harris's Secret Service detail has been met with backlash from California officials. Governor Gavin Newsom is reportedly in discussions to deploy California Highway Patrol officers to fill the security gap. Newsom has characterized the revocation as a result of "erratic, vindictive political impulses" by President Trump, a claim that lacks substantiation.
Similarly, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has criticized the move, labeling it an "act of revenge" and expressing concern for Harris's safety. "This is another act of revenge following a long list of political retaliation in the form of firings, the revoking of security clearances and more," stated Bass's office.
"This puts the former Vice President in danger and I look forward to working with the Governor to make sure Vice President Harris is safe in Los Angeles."
President Trump's decision aligns with the Former Vice President Protection Act of 2008, which allows for Secret Service protection for six months post-office. President Biden had extended Harris's protection for a full year, a courtesy not afforded to previous vice presidents, including Biden himself and Mike Pence, who both transitioned to private security after six months.
Harris's extended protection, which should have concluded in July, was prolonged by two additional months under Biden's directive.
The Associated Press has reported that recent threat intelligence assessments by the Secret Service have found no credible threats against Harris. Despite this, the financial burden of her security now falls on Los Angeles taxpayers.
As Harris prepares for a nationwide book tour to promote her memoir "107 Days," the decision to allocate public resources for her security has raised questions about priorities, particularly in a city grappling with significant crime challenges. The reassignment of officers from crime suppression to personal security duties underscores a contentious debate over resource allocation and the responsibilities of public officials post-tenure.
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