That Time Kamala Harris Called New Homeland Security Secretary at Home to Protest Muslim Ban

Getty Images

California’s new U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris was so appalled by the bungled rollout of the Trump administration’s ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries last month that she called Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and confronted him about it.

“I called him up at home ’cause I got the number,” Harris told the audience at a Creative Artist Agency-sponsored summit of political leaders on Thursday.

The call didn’t go as well as she had hoped. “I was really unsatisfied with the conversation,” she told the crowd, which included actors Richard Dreyfuss and Joshua Jackson.

Also Read: Barbara Boxer on Hollywood Elites: Meryl Streep Didn't Fail, the Democratic Party Did

Michelle Kydd Lee, Chief Innovation Officer, CAA (left) and Kamala Harris (right) / Photo by Sharon Waxman

Harris (above right), who was sworn in as California’s first black senator last month, said she spoke to Kelly after receiving a flood of calls from lawyers at Dulles, LAX and San Francisco airports who were being denied access to refugees.

“My first bill that I dropped this week, if we can get it passed, will be a law requiring that refugees and immigrants who arrive at the border be allowed access to counsel as a legal right,” she said.

Asked what she thought of the Trump administration’s first month, Harris referrred to it as “the post-11/8 era,” a reference to the date of Trump’s election last fall.

“There was pre-11/8 and this is post-11/8,” she said.

Also Read: CA Attorney General Kamala Harris Campaigning for Barbara Boxer's Senate Seat

But Harris said she was heartened by the swirl of civic engagement around the country and urged people to “pay attention” to the 2018 races and get involved with nonprofit organizations like Planned Parenthood.

“Just call them up and ask them what they need. They’re under attack right now,” she said. “All of it matters, all of it makes a difference.”

CAA’s “Take Action Day” was billed as a nonpartisan summit of political and thought leaders held at the agency’s Century City headquarters.

Other speakers included Harris’ predecessor, Barbara Boxer, as well as Muslim Public Affairs Council Founder Salam Al-Marayati and Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards. (Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House Majority Leader, is one of the only Republicans who participated in the event.)

53 Stars Who Protested Trump at Women's March, From Madonna to Scarlett Johansson (Photos)

The day after Donald Trump was sworn is as the 45th President of the United States, hundreds of thousands of protesters took part in the Women's March in Washington, D.C., and in several other cities around the world. The national march has drawn the attention of many celebrities, including Hillary Clinton supporters.
Getty
America Ferrara watched Clinton's defeat at the Democratic candidate's New York City watch party. She has called on artists to "stand together in solidarity for the protection, dignity and rights of our communities."
Getty
Ashley Judd, who briefly considered a Senate run in her native Kentucky, joined the rally in Washington, D.C.
Chloe Grace Moretz joined the marchers in Washington D.C.
Comedian Amy Schumer attended the D.C. March three months after Trump supporters walked out of one of her stand-up performances in Tampa.
Getty
Scarlet Johansson was announced as a D.C. March participant by the event organizers.
Getty
Jessica Chastain joined the marchers in Washington, D.C.
Maxwell performed for the crowd at the march in Washington, D.C.
Chelsea Handler, Maria Bello and Charlize Theron were among many stars who joined the march in Park City, Utah, on the first weekend of the Sundance Film Festival.
Alicia Keys joined other stars on stage in Washington, D.C.
Madonna performed on stage in Washington, D.C. -- and dropped a few F-bombs on live TV.
Janelle Monae, fresh off of "Hidden Figures," performed at the D.C. March.
Getty
"Taken" star Jennifer Beals (seen here with Chelsea Handler in Park City) told TheWrap: "I am going to march. I have a film at Sundance and there's a march planned there, I'm going to march, and use my voice, and stand up. It's no longer sufficient to sit behind your computer or just watch as events unfold. Your civil liberties are not necessarily guaranteed and you must learn to fight for them each and every day."
Actress Rebecca Hall British actress Rebecca Hall addressed a crowd outside the U.S. Embassy in London during the Women's March.
Emma Watson joins the crowd in Washington, D.C.
Filmmaker Peter Bratt and his actor brother Benjamin Bratt spoke out at the Women's March in Park City, Utah.
Anjelica Huston joins the crowd at the Women's March in Los Angeles.
Jessica Biel joins the crowd at the L.A. Women's March.
Actress and musician Juliette Lewis protests at the Women's March in L.A.
Artist Shepard Fairey and actor James Franco attend the Women's March in Los Angeles.
Miley Cyrus takes a bite out of her protest sign at the L.A. Women's March.
Vanessa Hudgens holds a sign at the L.A. Women's March.
Connie Britton addressed the crowd at the Women's March rally in Park City, Utah.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus addresses L.A. crowd.
One of the youngest celebrities taking part in the march is Yara Shahidi from "Black-ish," which just aired an episode addressing Trump's victory. She was joined by her co-star, Tracee Ellis Ross, who had said her schedule would prevent her from attending.
Getty
Jane Fonda spoke at the Los Angeles Women's March, but first she will promote it with an interview on "Real Time With Bill Maher."
Oscar-winning documentarian Michael Moore may have predicted Trump's electoral win but he still joined the protest in Washington, D.C.
Singer Kesha joined the L.A. protest, complete with a sign criticizing Donald Trump's sons.
Another teen celebrity attending is "Girl Meets World" star Rowan Blanchard. The 15-year-old actress will speak prior to the Los Angeles Women's March at Pershing Square.
Getty
Rufus Wainwright performed at the L.A. version of the Women's March.
Getty Images
Mary Steenburgen carried a handmade sign at the Women's March in Park City, Utah.
Getty Images
Natalie Portman speaks in downtown L.A.
TV producer Deena Katz and Jamie Lee Curtis at the L.A. Women's March.
Helen Hunt joins crowd in L.A.'s Women's March.
Debbie Allen and Kerry Washington enjoy a moment at the Women's March in L.A.
Katy Perry donned a yellow beret and marched in Washington, D.C. She had performed at the Democratic National Convention and allowed Clinton to use her song "Roar" in a campaign ad.
Getty
"Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi told Rolling Stone she planned to attend the march in D.C.: "I am offended on behalf of Mexicans. I am offended on behalf of Muslims. I am offended on behalf of everything that this country and the Constitution stands for."
Samantha Bee openly supported Clinton on her show "Full Frontal" during the primary and general elections. She also planned to join the D.C. march.
Getty
Lupita Nyong'o, who has a history of appearing at women's health rights rallies, also planned to march in D.C.
Zendaya posted a painting promoting the D.C. March on her Instagram account.
Cher was also at Clinton's election-night event and became known for her intense anti-Trump tweets last year. Her participation in the D.C. March was announced through its organizers.
Getty
Olivia Wilde has been an avid promoter of the March on Instagram. "We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all," she wrote in a recent post. "Join the movement! Men are welcome!"
"Absolutely Fabulous" star Mo Gaffney told TheWrap she planned to go to the Washington march after spending inauguration day "girding my loins, figuratively -- and literally because... well, Trump and grabbing."
Julianne Moore, who called Trump's rhetoric during the election "incredibly detrimental to us as a society," also took part in the D.C. march.
Getty
"Orange Is The New Black" star Uzo Aduba also planned to attend.
TheWrap
Other "OITNB" stars who were in attendance in D.C. included Lea DeLaria
Sheri Shepherd told TheWrap she will be at the Los Angeles march: "I'm gonna be there! I've got my flats and my heels."

1 of 47

Scores of famous faces joined the rallies in Washington, D.C., and other cities around the world

The day after Donald Trump was sworn is as the 45th President of the United States, hundreds of thousands of protesters took part in the Women's March in Washington, D.C., and in several other cities around the world. The national march has drawn the attention of many celebrities, including Hillary Clinton supporters.

View In Gallery

53 Stars Who Protested Trump at Women's March, From Madonna to Scarlett Johansson (Photos)

Related Content

Hollywood Agencies Vie for Trump-Era Bragging Rights: Who’s Most Politically Engaged?

Read Aaron Sorkin’s Anti-Trump Tirade at WGA Awards

UTA Cancels Oscar Party to Host Immigration Rally

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL