First Lady Jill Biden’s weekend getaway took a turn for the worse when a video surfaced showing her security detail aggressively pushing locals in the small town of Los Olivos, California. The incident happened as the First Lady, along with her stepson Hunter Biden and other family members, made an unexpected stop during their vacation, drawing criticism from both locals and on social media.
The Bidens, who had just visited Vandenberg Space Force Base where Joe Biden addressed military personnel, were en route to another nine-day vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Their brief shopping stop in Los Olivos quickly descended into chaos, disrupting the normally serene town, according to local news reports. In the clip, Secret Service agents and other security personnel can be seen forcefully pushing bystanders out of the way as Jill Biden, Hunter, and other family members make their way through the quaint town. “Out of the way! Move! Now! Now!” one agent can be heard shouting as locals scrambled to clear the path.
WATCH:
WATCH Jill Biden’s Secret Service roughly clear the people so she, Ashley and Hunter could shop while on vacation in Los Olivos, California with local police protection as well. ???? Remember how Jill described feeling “POWER” as they clear freeways for her.? pic.twitter.com/1TAPPlKbgP
— Joni Job (@jj_talking) August 26, 2024
The First Lady, dressed casually for her shopping trip, seemed unfazed by the commotion. Many questioned the necessity of such a heavy-handed approach in a small, peaceful town renowned for its wineries and art galleries. Last year, she had remarked on feeling a sense of “power” as motorcades cleared entire freeways for her travels, a comment that did not sit well with taxpayers covering the cost of the Biden family’s frequent trips
Now for another NINE-day vacation in Delaware.
Taxpayers are spending millions of dollars on planes and helicopters and motorcades and Secret Service to ferry POTUS Biden and his family all over the country on this endless vacation.
Do none of them have a job? https://t.co/vwJzc6k6f8— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) August 26, 2024
The first family’s vacay in California will be followed by another nine-day vacation in Delaware. It is the latest in a series of trips that have drawn criticism due to the significant costs associated with planes, helicopters, and motorcades used to transport the First Family. President Joe Biden remained at his Rehoboth Beach retreat, seemingly detached from the mounting criticism.
As observers assessed which of President Biden’s closest allies were pushing him to stay in the presidential race last month, signs suggested a notable divide between Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The division is especially significant as Harris prepared for the possibility of taking the lead if Biden decided to step aside, which he did.
The Daily Mail reported that tensions between Jill Biden and Kamala Harris escalated during the 2020 campaign. The friction intensified after Harris, then a presidential candidate, accused Biden of racism related to his support for increased incarceration in the 1990s. The accusation only fueled the ongoing rivalry and a complex dynamic throughout the Biden administration. According to the outlet, Jill Biden is reported to have told supporters during a private campaign call to “go f*** yourself” regarding Harris, and relations reportedly deteriorated since then.
Harris also criticized Joe Biden for his stance on mandatory busing for school desegregation, which many perceived as an additional allegation of racism. “Jill holds grudges,” one Democrat insider told the outlet. “She doesn’t let things go and she has never forgiven Kamala for comments that some took to be allegations of racism.” When Joe Biden was considering a running mate in 2020, his wife purportedly pushed him toward anyone except Harris, DailyMail.com reported.