The Secret Service is facing backlash after agents entered a Massachusetts salon without permission during a fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris. The agents reportedly picked the lock to the salon’s front door, covered security cameras with duct tape, and allowed the public to use the restroom for nearly two hours, all without the owner’s knowledge.
Salon owner Alicia Powers expressed her dismay over the incident, explaining that while she had agreed to close her business for security reasons, she was never informed that her property would be used in this manner. Powers described how multiple individuals entered her salon, setting off alarms and leaving the premises unsecured after using the bathroom.
After the incident came to light, the Secret Service’s Boston office reached out to Powers to apologize. A representative acknowledged that the agents’ actions were a violation of protocol and assured her that the situation would be addressed. Powers stated, “They were not supposed to tape my camera without permission. They were not supposed to enter the building without permission.”
Brian Smith, the building’s landlord, corroborated Powers’ account, emphasizing that no one had given the Secret Service permission to access the property. The agency has since expressed regret and reiterated its commitment to maintaining positive relationships with local businesses during high-security events.
