Judicial Watch Sues for Secret Service Records on Break-In by Agents During VP Harris Campaign Visit

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Secret Service records about a break-in at a hair salon by Secret Service agents in Pittsfield, MA, during a campaign fundraising visit by Vice President Kamala Harris (Judicial Watch Inc. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security(No,1:24-cv–02750)).

Judicial Watch sued after the Secret Service failed to respond to an August 12, 2024, FOIA request for:

• All emails and text messages of members of the Vice Presidential Protective Detail regarding the break-in by Secret Service officials of the Four One Three Salon in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on July 27, 2024, as described in various news media, such as https://nypost.com/2024/08/11/us­ news/secret-service-apologizes-to-salon-owner-over-break-in-bathroom-use­ during-kamala-harris-event/.

• Communications of the special agent-in­-charge of the Secret Service field office in Boston, as well as Acting USSS Director Ronald Rowe, Assistant Director Michael Plati, Assistant Director Brian Lambert, and Assistant Director David Smith regarding the break-in of the Four One Three Salon.

• Copies of all complaints filed against the Secret Service by individuals or businesses impacted by Secret Service operations in connection with the July 27 Harris campaign fundraiser in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

 The New York Post reported on August 11: “The Secret Service apologized to a salon owner in Massachusetts who alleged that individuals broke into her business to use the bathroom during the agency’s security work for a nearby Veep Kamala Harris fundraiser…. [A] Secret Service officer covered a camera outside her salon with tape.” 

“The Biden-Harris Secret Service broke into a business and tried to cover it up – and they’re still trying to cover it up,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said.

Judicial Watch has reported extensively on the Secret Service.

In September, following up on reports that the Biden Secret Service denied President Trump’s requests for additional Secret Service protection, Judicial Watch sued the Department of Homeland Security for all Secret Service and other records regarding potential increased protective services to former President Trump’s security detail prior to the attempt on his life at his July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

In August Judicial Watch released records showing that the Secret Service has made it a top priority that “diversity and inclusion is not just ‘talked about’ – but demonstrated by all employees through ‘Every Action, Every Day.’” [Emphasis in original]

On July 31, Judicial Watch reported that the United States Secret Service completely denied multiple FOIA requests for documents about the assassination attempt on former President Trump.

On July 22, Judicial Watch announced a lawsuit for records of an incident in which a Secret Service agent assigned to protect Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly got into a scuffle with colleagues

 In February Judicial Watch released documents showing that Assistant Director Michael Plati ordered his staff not to respond to a request for information from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s head of security.  

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