On Saturday, the Los Angeles Police Department ended its protection of former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The city police department had stepped in to provide security services to Harris and help the California Highway Patrol do the same days after President Donald Trump revoked her Secret Service detail.
As The New York Times reported, the department faced criticism from an already understaffed but critical unit focusing on crime suppression in the San Fernando Valley that was asked to lend police officers. The police unions didn’t approve of this diversion of resources either.
The LA mayor, who initially criticized the move, also justified the LAPD’s reasoning.
Is there a need for additional security?
Typically, former vice presidents receive six months of protection after leaving office. But, according to an NBC News affiliate, former President Joe Biden extended it to 18 months before leaving office. The directive was not made public until now, when Trump canceled the order, as the Deseret News reported.
Former Vice President Mike Pence received a six-month protection detail. Harris’ six-month period ended on July 21.
Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff’s Secret Service protection was removed on July 21 in adherence with federal law.
But considering the two assassination attempts against Trump during his run for president, Harris supporters felt more time was needed.
Harris faced a number of threats both as vice president and presidential candidate, per NBC News.
Harris’ security was revoked just as she is beginning her book tour for her new political memoir, “107 Days,” set to be released on Sept. 23. The book follows her time on the campaign trail, first running for vice president and later seeking the presidency after Biden dropped out. It is the story of the 107 days she had to run her presidential campaign.
She will travel to New York City, Los Angeles and Philadelphia to promote the book, per CNN.
Police union, Karen Bass react
The Los Angeles Protective League, the police union representing LA officers, celebrated the end of LAPD’s services to Harris.
“Every now and then common sense prevails and we are happy to report that the Metro officers assigned to protect the multimillionaire failed presidential candidate are back on the street fighting crime,” the union said in a statement, per an LA NBC News affiliate.
“Maybe Ms. Harris can start a GoFundMe campaign instead of mooching off Los Angeles taxpayers.”
LA Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement on Saturday, “The plan was always to provide temporary support and I thank LAPD for protecting former VP Harris and always prioritizing the safety of all Angelenos.”
But last Monday, when Trump revoked the Secret Service detail, Bass called the move “another act of revenge.”
“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,” she said, according to Fox News’ Matthew Seedorff.