The Los Angeles Police Department has terminated its protective detail for Kamala Harris following widespread internal backlash, just days after assuming responsibility for her safety. The move came after officers were reassigned from crime-fighting duties in the San Fernando Valley to guard Harris’ Brentwood residence, sparking outrage among rank-and-file personnel.
A dozen Metro Division officers had been stationed at Harris’ home after President Trump revoked extended Secret Service protection granted by former President Biden. The temporary arrangement, which lasted less than a week, drew sharp criticism from LAPD unions, who argued that diverting resources away from local communities was reckless. “Pulling police officers from protecting everyday Angelenos to guard a failed presidential candidate who can afford private security is absurd,” the Los Angeles Police Protective League stated.
Mayor Karen Bass had directed the LAPD to support the California Highway Patrol in responding to Trump’s decision, framing it as an act of “political retaliation.” However, the union condemned the deployment, noting that Valley patrols faced reduced staffing amid ongoing public safety concerns. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who approved the CHP’s involvement, called for stability, stating, “The safety of public officials should never be subject to erratic political impulses.”
The short-lived security detail highlighted tensions within the LAPD over resource allocation and perceived political influences on law enforcement priorities.