In a troubling incident that raises serious questions about government overreach and respect for private property, the Secret Service has come under fire for its questionable conduct during preparations for a Kamala Harris fundraising event in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Alicia Powers, the owner of Four One Three Salon, was left outraged after discovering that her business had been unlawfully entered and used by Secret Service agents without her permission.
The incident occurred after Powers had already agreed to close her salon at the request of the Secret Service, who were conducting security sweeps in preparation for Vice President Harris’s visit. Powers, like any law-abiding citizen, complied with the agency’s request, understanding the importance of security for such high-profile events. However, what unfolded next was far from what she had agreed to.
Security footage from Powers’ salon reveals that multiple agents entered her business without permission, taping over security cameras and using her restroom facilities for nearly two hours. “There were several people in and out for about an hour-and-a-half—just using my bathroom, the alarms going off, using my counter, with no permission,” Powers explained. To add insult to injury, the agents left the salon unlocked after they were done, leaving the business vulnerable and exposed.
What is particularly galling about this incident is the complete disregard for basic decency and property rights. Powers noted that she would have gladly welcomed the agents had they simply asked. “Whoever was visiting, whether it was a celebrity or not, I probably would’ve opened the door and made them coffee and brought in donuts to make it a great afternoon for them,” she said. “But they didn’t even have the audacity to ask for permission. They just helped themselves.”
The Secret Service has since issued an apology, with spokeswoman Melissa McKenzie acknowledging that the agency’s actions were not in line with protocol. “The U.S. Secret Service works closely with our partners in the business community to carry out our protective and investigative missions,” McKenzie stated. “We hold these relationships in the highest regard and our personnel would not enter, or instruct our partners to enter, a business without the owner’s permission.”
However, this apology does little to mitigate the frustration and violation felt by Powers. The fact that a government agency, entrusted with the protection of our nation’s leaders, would so flagrantly disregard the rights of a private business owner is deeply concerning. It raises questions about the broader implications of government overreach and the erosion of individual liberties.
Footage of the incident has since surfaced on social media, further fueling public outrage. The video, uploaded to X, was captioned, “Secret Service is batting a 1000 at this point,” highlighting the growing frustration with an agency that appears increasingly out of touch with the very people it is supposed to protect.
This incident is not just a minor mishap; it is a reflection of a deeper issue within the current administration’s approach to power and authority. When government agents feel entitled to invade private property without permission, it sets a dangerous precedent. The American people deserve better—respect for their rights, their property, and their privacy.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability at all levels of government. The Secret Service must be held to the highest standards, and any breach of protocol should be met with appropriate consequences. The American people will not stand for anything less.
