Trump Revokes Kamala Harris’s Extended Secret Service Protection
A recent memo sent by President Donald Trump has put an abrupt end to former Vice President Kamala Harris’s Secret Service protection—an extension that had been quietly granted by President Biden.
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s Memo — Protection Ends September 1
In a directive dated August 28, Trump ordered the cancellation of Harris’s extended Secret Service protection, effective September 1. The memo instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security to discontinue security measures beyond those legally required. - Unusual Extension by Biden
Under federal law, former vice presidents are entitled to six months of Secret Service protection post-tenure. Harris’s standard protection would have expired on July 21, 2025. However, President Biden had quietly extended it by an additional year through a directive signed before leaving office. - No Security Review or Threat Justification
Sources told CNN there was no new threat assessment or security review prompting this decision. Secret Service leadership did not dissent; it appears to have been a political executive order. - Timing Raises Concerns
The revocation comes as Harris prepares to launch a 15-city book tour for her memoir 107 Days, beginning shortly after the protection ends. - Reactions from Harris’s Team and California Officials
Harris’s senior adviser expressed gratitude to the Secret Service for its professionalism. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the move. They described it as retaliatory and called it a risk to Harris’s safety. Newsom’s office says it’s coordinating with law enforcement to ensure her protection.
Broader Context
This revocation continues a pattern from Trump’s administration, wherein protection for critics or adversaries—including former national security adviser John Bolton and Biden’s children—has been withdrawn.
According to federal law (18 U.S.C. § 3056), Secret Service protection for former vice presidents is capped at six months, unless extended by executive directive—a power that incoming presidents can exercise.
Summary
Trump has opted to terminate the extra year of Secret Service coverage that Biden unusually granted to Harris. This decision comes as she steps into a more visible public role with her upcoming book tour. While no new threats were cited, Democratic leaders are calling it political retribution with potential safety implications.
