By The Beltway Brief | August 29, 2025
In a series of consequential moves, the Trump administration this week significantly altered security protocols for former Vice President Harris, as well as expanding federal law enforcement actions in the nation's capital. Trump has also implemented new trade rules that have immediately disrupted international shipping.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris had her Secret Service protection formally revoked, effective September 1. The action enforces the standard six-month post-service protection period, reversing a one-year extension granted by the previous administration. The change comes as Harris prepares for a book tour, raising security considerations for her public appearances.
In addition, approximately 800 National Guard troops are still deployed to Washington D.C. as the administration asserted federal oversight of local policing through the Home Rule Act of 1973. The administration cited public safety concerns, though crime statistics present a complex picture: while violent crime has decreased 45% since the intervention, certain crimes like carjackings remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.
This move has drawn sharp criticism from local officials and Democratic leaders who characterize it as federal overreach. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb called the action "unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful," noting that violent crime is at a 30-year low.
The administration's elimination of the "de minimis" tariff exemption, which previously allowed duty-free entry for shipments under $800, has also caused immediate international repercussions. Multiple countries have now suspended deliveries to the U.S., including Japan, Australia, Mexico, and several other European nations, citing logistical challenges in collecting the new tariffs.
The next policy change includes a six-month transition period allowing foreign postal services to pay flat-rate duties per package: $80 for low-tariff countries, $160 for mid-range, and $200 for high-tariff nations. While U.S. manufacturing groups applauded the move as protection against unfair competition, e-commerce companies and small businesses face increased costs and operational disruptions.
These developments reflect the administration's continued emphasis on executive authority, law-and-order policies, and protectionist trade measures, generating both support and criticism across political and international spheres.
The question we are all left with is: "What will the new America look like under this administration?"
