The U.S. Secret Service has denied any involvement in the break-in of a hair salon during a Kamala Harris campaign event in Massachusetts. The salon owner, Alicia Powers, accused agents of putting duct tape over her security cameras and breaking into her building by picking the lock. However, the Secret Service spokeswoman, Melissa McKenzie, stated that the agency values its relationships with the business community and would not enter a business without the owner’s permission.
Powers claimed that several people were in her salon for about an hour-and-a-half, using her facilities without permission and leaving the building unlocked. The incident occurred near the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a campaign fundraiser.
After the incident, a USSS representative contacted Powers in response to inquiries from Business Insider. The Secret Service’s latest statement on the matter has not been addressed by Powers yet.
This incident comes on the heels of an assassination attempt on former President Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania. The scrutiny on the Secret Service increased when it was revealed that law enforcement had identified the shooter as suspicious before the shooting but lost track of him. The shooter was able to fire several shots before being apprehended.
Following the incident, Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after facing tough questions from the House Oversight Committee. The security breach at the salon has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Secret Service’s protocols and coordination with local law enforcement.
As investigations continue into both incidents, the Secret Service faces mounting pressure to address any lapses in security and ensure the safety of public figures at events. The agency’s reputation and ability to protect high-profile individuals are being called into question, and it remains to be seen how they will address these challenges moving forward.