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‘Mostly peaceful shopping trip’: Security detail gets physical as Jill Biden shops with Ashley and Hunter

August 27, 2024 | | Print Article

First Lady Jill Biden’s visit to a small California town surprised the locals but it was the behavior of the security detail that got plenty of attention.

The quiet community of Los Olivos in the Santa Barbara area suddenly experienced a flurry of activity as Biden stopped in town to shop last week, with one local journalist describing “some chaotic moments” as security roughly cleared the road.

(Image: KSBY screenshot)

“Dr. Jill Biden visited Los Olivos for a little shopping, accompanied by her son, Hunter Biden, and family, along with more than 10 Secret Service agents and local law enforcement,” KSBY reporter Juliet Lemar said off camera as she covered the scene from last week.

What was not clear, however, was the identity of the man who could be seen – and certainly heard – as he barked to get “out of the roadway!” and physically shoved one woman with a camera, yelling “Go!”

Lemar did not clarify whether he was a member of Biden’s Secret Service detail or local law enforcement as she reported on the 30-minute shopping spectacle.

(Image: KSBY screenshot)

The group reportedly stopped at a few businesses including, (IN)LARKIN, Nightcap Clothing, and Kahunas. Lemar noted that the “family is reportedly vacationing in the Santa Ynez area” and would be leaving by the weekend. There was no mention of whether President Joe Biden was vacationing with the family or was still in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

“It was pretty cool. He came in with his family and he ordered lemonade and matcha and iced vanilla lattes and he came into Lefty’s!” Cynthia Sixto, a barista for Lefty’s Coffee Co., said of Hunter Biden stopping in for drinks.

“My husband and I came today just hoping that we would see her. We literally pulled up five minutes before she came out of the shop across the street,” Melissa Burke of Santa Barbara told KSBY, adding that she had tears in her eyes from seeing the first lady in person.

But many who viewed the video clip were furious over the treatment of the woman by the security person, and they let rip on the Secret Service, law enforcement, and the Bidens on X.

“Disgusting behavior by Jill and Hunter Biden’s bodyguard. He physically assaulted a woman,” wrote journalist Miranda Devine. “Is this really a Secret Service agent? The lack of professionalism in that organization is staggering.”

Frieda Powers
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