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Commentary: Should Kamala Harris be protected? At what cost?

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Commentary: Should Kamala Harris be protected? At what cost?

When Kamala Harris was contemplating a run for California governor, one of her supposed considerations was the security detail that attends the state’s chief executive.

The services of a life-preserving, ego-boosting retinue of intimidating protectors — picture dark glasses, earpiece, stern visage — were cited by more than one Harris associate, past and present, as a factor in her deliberations. These were not Trumpers or Harris haters looking to impugn or embarrass the former vice president.

According to one of those associates, Harris has been accompanied nonstop by an official driver and person with a gun since 2003, when she was elected San Francisco district attorney. One could easily grow accustomed to that level of comfort and status, not to mention the pleasure of never having to personally navigate the 101 or 405 freeways at rush hour.

That is, of course, a perfectly terrible and selfish reason to run for governor, if ever it was a part of Harris’ thinking. To her credit, the reason she chose to not run was a very good one: Harris simply “didn’t feel called” to pursue the job, in the words of one political advisor.

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Now, however, the matter of Harris’ personal protection has become a topic of heated discussion and debate, which is hardly surprising in an age when everything has become politicized, including “and” and “the.”

There is plenty of bad faith to go around.

Last month, President Trump abruptly revoked Harris’ Secret Service protection. The security arrangement for vice presidents typically lasts for six months after they leave office, allowing them to quietly fade into ever greater obscurity. But before vacating the White House, President Biden signed an executive order extending protection for Harris for an additional year. (Former presidents are guarded by Secret Service details for life.)

As the first female, first Black and first Asian American vice president, Harris faced, as they say in the protective-service business, an elevated threat level while serving in the post. In the 230-odd days since Harris left office, there is no reason to believe racism and misogyny, not to mention wild-eyed partisan hatred, have suddenly abated in this great land of ours.

And there remain no small number of people crazy enough to violently act on those impulses.

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The president could have been gracious and extended Harris’ protection. But expecting grace out of Trump is like counting on a starving Doberman to show restraint when presented a bloody T-bone steak.

“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,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass angrily declared.

True.

Though Bass omitted the bit about six months being standard operating procedure, which would have at least offered some context. It wasn’t as though Harris was being treated differently than past vice presidents.

Gov. Gavin Newsom quickly stepped into the breach, providing Harris protection by the California Highway Patrol. Soon after, The Times’ Richard Winton broke the news that Los Angeles Police Department officers meant to be fighting crime in hard-hit areas of the city were instead providing security for Harris as a supplement to the CHP.

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Not a great look. Or the best use of police resources.

Thus followed news that officers had been pulled off Harris’ security detail after internal criticism; supposedly the LAPD’s involvement had always been intended as a stopgap measure.

All well and good, until the conservative-leaning Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing rank-and-file officers, saw fit to issue a gratuitously snarky statement condemning the hasty arrangement. Its board of directors described Harris as “a failed presidential candidate who also happens to be a multi-millionaire, with multiple homes … who can easily afford to pay for her own security.”

As if Harris’ 2024 defeat — she lost the popular vote to Trump by a scant 1.5%, it might be noted — was somehow relevant.

To be certain, Harris and her husband, attorney Doug Emhoff, won’t miss any hot meals as they shelter in their 3,500-square-foot Brentwood home. (The one house they own.) But they’re not stupid-rich either.

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One person in the private-security business told Winton that a certain household name pays him $1,000 a day for a 12-hour shift. That can quickly add up and put a noticeable dent in your bank account, assuming your name isn’t Elon or Taylor or Zuckerberg or Bezos.

Setting aside partisanship — if that’s still possible — and speaking bluntly, there’s something to be said for ensuring Harris doesn’t die a violent death at the hands of some crazed assailant.

The CHP’s Dignitary Protection Section is charged with guarding all eight of California’s constitutional officers — we’re talking folks such as the insurance commissioner and state controller — as well as the first lady and other elected officials, as warranted. The statutory authority also extends to former constitutional officers, which would include Harris, who served six years as state attorney general.

Surely there’s room in California’s $321-billion budget to make sure nothing terrible happens to one of the state’s most prominent and credentialed citizens. It doesn’t have to be an open-ended, lifetime commitment to Harris’ protection, but an arrangement that could be periodically reviewed, as time passes and potential danger wanes.

Serving in elected office can be rough, especially in these incendiary times. The price shouldn’t include having to spend the rest of your life looking nervously over your shoulder.

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Or draining your life savings, so you don’t have to.

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DHS shutdown triggers TSA ‘emergency measures’ as lawmaker warns airports could feel economic pain

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DHS shutdown triggers TSA ‘emergency measures’ as lawmaker warns airports could feel economic pain

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is taking emergency measures amid a partial DHS shutdown that dragged on for another week, as a top lawmaker who oversees transportation warned of potential economic fallout at airports.

While Democrats have held up funding for DHS, their intended target — ICE — remains resourced due to a $75 billion infusion from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year.

Over the weekend, several reports claimed DHS was prepared to pause TSA PreCheck — the program that allows qualified frequent fliers a speedier pass through security.

But a TSA spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that PreCheck remains “operational with no change for the traveling public.”

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TSA agents scan luggage at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Crystal City, Va. (Valerie Plesch/Getty Images)

“As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly,” the spokesperson said.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also told CNN on Wednesday that one contingency could arise in which unpaid TSA officers may need to find alternative employment to provide for their families.

At that point, “we’ll have to prioritize where the most travelers go through their security checkpoints,” she said.

So far, there have been no noticeable flight delays due to the TSA shutdown.

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As of now, the main TSA program suspended is that of “courtesy escorts” for dignitaries, including members of Congress. Escorts have been paused to “allow officers to focus on the mission of securing America’s skies,” a TSA spokesperson said.

WHY KEEPING LAWMAKERS IN DC DURING SHUTDOWN MAY HAVE CAUSED MORE HARM THAN GOOD

Travelers move through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday at Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, November 25, 2020. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

“Until funding is restored, all travelers should expect a process that does not sacrifice security,” the agency said in a statement.

However, the top lawmaker on the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation told Fox News Digital that the program does not appear to be universally in place, noting he either goes through TSA security like other travelers or occasionally gets assistance from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office when flying to Washington.

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“I personally haven’t seen too much of a slowdown because they are essential personnel and they’re gonna be working,” Chairman Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday.

“The problem is, those folks — they need their paychecks. And so, we’re making them work without a paycheck and that’s just not right,” he said, adding that he plans to ask DHS about long-term contingencies if the shutdown drags on.

“If somehow this is going to be affecting service in any way, I would expect more people not to be showing up to work, but again, I haven’t had direct reports from TSA telling me that travel has been disrupted.”

Gimenez said that for a district like his — South Dade and the Florida Keys — air travel is inextricably tied to its economy. It is served by two airports: the major international hub of MIA and the much smaller, tourism-powered EYW.

NOEM SLAMS DEMS BLOCKING DHS FUNDING BILL CITING TSA, FEMA, COAST GUARD: ‘I HOPE THEY COME TO THEIR SENSES’

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“Obviously, in Miami, a lot of people know who I am, and a lot of those agents know who I am, and they’ve acted very professionally,” he said when asked if he has heard directly from constituents or agents about the shutdown.

A source familiar with the situation also said Miami International Airport is the city’s top employer and the region’s leading economic generator.

Gimenez agreed, adding that when MIA faces any adversities, it ripples into the surrounding area.

“The longer this goes on, I would think you’re going to see some travel disruptions due to TSA, due to, you know, those folks that aren’t getting paid – and [then onto] hotels, and it’ll affect everything. It affects everything.”

Fox News Digital reached out to ranking member LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., for her take on the situation.

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McIver’s district notably encompasses another major international hub: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Noem said the current situation is the third time Democrats have forced a shutdown of her agency during the 119th Congress.

“Shutdowns have real-world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but they endanger our national security,” she said.

“The American people depend on this department every day, and we are making tough but necessary workforce and resource decisions to mitigate the damage inflicted by these politicians. TSA and CBP are prioritizing the general traveling population at our airports and ports of entry and suspending courtesy and special privilege escorts.”

Noem further warned that FEMA — another affected agency — must brace for yet another nor’easter and will halt all non-disaster-related response efforts while its resources are tied up.

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Global Entry, a Customs and Border Protection-facilitated program at airports receiving international flights, will be halted.

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The program, seen as the traveler’s version of TSA PreCheck for international arrivals, will have officers reassigned to assist other arriving passengers.

“CBP will also be suspending requests for port courtesies for members of Congress at all ports of entry to include escorts and tours in order for personnel to be reassigned to essential border security operations,” the agency said.

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Outside group spends $4.8 million on TV ads backing San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan for governor

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Outside group spends .8 million on TV ads backing San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan for governor

An independent expenditure committee backed by Silicon Valley executives spent $4.8 million on television ads supporting San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s gubernatorial bid that will begin airing Thursday.

The two 30-second ads highlight the Democrat’s life story — being raised in a working-class family and working on a grounds crew and as a middle school teacher — and his accomplishments leading the state’s third-largest city.

Mahan’s parents “taught him the difference between nice to have and need to have,” a narrator says in one of the ads. “So as mayor of San Jose, Matt focused on the basics and delivered results on the things that matter most. The safest big city in America, a sharp drop in street homelessness and thousands of homes built. As governor, Matt Mahan will focus on results Californians need to have, like affordable homes, safe neighborhoods and good schools.”

The ads, which will air statewide on broadcast and cable TV, were paid for by an independent-expenditure committee called California Back to Basics Supporting Matt Mahan for Governor 2026.

The group has not yet filed any fundraising reports with the secretary of state’s office, but the ads’ disclosure says the top donors are billionaire venture capitalist Michael Moritz, luxury sleepwear company founder Ashley Merrill and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Michael Seibel.

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Billionaire Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso, who considered running for governor or mayor of Los Angeles but ultimately decided against seeking either post, is involved in the effort, according to a strategist working for the committee who requested anonymity to speak about it.

The committee legally cannot coordinate with Mahan’s campaign, which he launched four weeks ago. Although Mahan lacks the name recognition of several other candidates in the crowded field running to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom, his fundraising prowess, notably among tech industry leaders, is notable. He has raised nearly $9.2 million in large donations since entering the gubernatorial race.

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Video: Trump Echoes Biden on the Economy in State of the Union Speech

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Video: Trump Echoes Biden on the Economy in State of the Union Speech

new video loaded: Trump Echoes Biden on the Economy in State of the Union Speech

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Trump Echoes Biden on the Economy in State of the Union Speech

President Trump’s arguments about the country during the State of the Union on Tuesday echoed those of President Biden’s two years ago.

“The president of the United States.” “This is the golden age of America. Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast. The roaring economy is roaring like never before.” “America’s comeback is building the future of American possibilities. Wages keep going up. Inflation keeps coming down.” “When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis. The Biden administration and its allies in Congress gave us the worst inflation in the history of our country.” “A president, my predecessor, failed the most basic presidential duty that he owes the American people: the duty to care. I think that’s unforgivable.” “A short time ago, we were a dead country. Now we are the hottest country anywhere in the world. The hottest.” “I inherited an economy on the brink. Now our economy is literally the envy of the world.”

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President Trump’s arguments about the country during the State of the Union on Tuesday echoed those of President Biden’s two years ago.

By Cynthia Silva

February 25, 2026

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