Kamala Harris made a notable return to her Los Angeles home this week, but not without stirring up some strong opinions. The former Vice President landed in Los Angeles on Monday, arriving at LAX in style with an all-woman flight crew, then went straight to work. She served meals to wildfire evacuees and thanked local firefighters at a station in Altadena. But while her efforts to engage with the community were widely recognized, not all her neighbors were thrilled with her return.
Some residents in Brentwood, a wealthy neighborhood in northern Los Angeles, were less than pleased by her homecoming. One neighbor, who lives just around the corner, expressed frustration, saying, “I don’t care that she’s back, except that they block off the road whenever she comes to town.” Her arrival seemed to bring more traffic and inconvenience for those living in the area.
Though Harris hasn’t yet shared her exact plans after leaving Washington, she made it clear last week that she wouldn’t be “going quietly into the night” and hinted at staying involved in politics.
Her return to Los Angeles comes at a time when local leaders, like Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom, have faced criticism for their handling of various crises in the city. Harris quickly set out to connect with the community, sharing a message of support for those impacted by wildfires. “We wanted to come out and just let people know that we see them and that they are cared for,” she told reporters.
However, not all of her neighbors share her enthusiasm. One resident, a real estate investor named Lewis, was openly critical of her, saying he was embarrassed both by her living in Brentwood and by her time in office. He pointed out his disappointment with local Democratic leaders and expressed a desire for Harris to leave California politics behind, saying, “I’d rather she find another state to destroy.”
On the other hand, some neighbors were excited to have her back in town. Retired lawyer Peggy Garrity mentioned, “It’s tragic that she’s not in the White House, but it’s a delight to have her as a neighbor.” Her friend, interior designer Morlene Keller, also welcomed the return, even though she wished Harris were still in Washington. Both women acknowledged that their views didn’t represent everyone in the neighborhood. “This neighborhood is a mixed bag,” Garrity explained, noting the mix of political views among the wealthy residents of Brentwood.
Despite the divided opinions, Harris’s return to Los Angeles has certainly sparked conversation, with some welcoming her presence and others less than thrilled by the attention it brings. It seems her next steps in politics will be closely watched, not just in California, but across the country.
