President Donald Trump has ordered an end to Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris. This decision cancels an extension of security that had been quietly guaranteed by Joe Biden before leaving office.
By law, vice presidents are entitled to 6 months of protection after leaving the office. Harris‘s protection should have ended in July 2024, but Biden had extended it for an extra year. Trump now revoked this extension in a memo dated 28 August, directing the Secret Service to stop all security measures for Harris from 1 September.
According to the White House officials, a new threat assessment found no significant risk that would justify keeping the extended detail for Harris.
Harris Faces Life Without Federal Security
This decision comes just as Harris prepared to begin a national book tour to promote 107 Days, her book about her presidential campaign in 2024. The loss of security means that she will have to arrange her own private protection, which experts estimate could cost millions of dollars each year.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass both criticised this decision by President Donald Trump. Mayor Bass called it another act of political revenge and said it placed Harris at risk. She added that she would ensure Harris remained safe while in Los Angeles.
Harris‘s husband, Doug Emoff, had already lost his protection on 1 July when his legally mandated 6 months ended. They are a couple who will now rely on personal arrangements to ensure their own safety.
A Pattern Of Revoking Protections
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump rolled back Secret Service protection for multiple other people. This includes Hunter and Ashley Biden, the children of Joe Biden, and Dr Anthony Fauc,i who led the nation’s infectious disease response for years.
Multiple former Trump officials have also lost their details, including Mike Pompeo, his former Secretary of State, and John Bolton former national security advisor, who became a very vocal critic.
Removal of Harris’s protection, however, has drawn more attention because she faced multiple security threats during her time as a vice president. In 2024, a man from Virginia was charged with threatening to kill or kidnap Barack Obama. In 2021, A woman from Florida was convicted after sending videos in which she threatened Harris and showed weapons as well.
Harris’ Response
Harris’ team has not yet said anything on how she will handle the loss of federal protection, but private securities are expected to play a very important role during your book tour and public appearances. This decision has already caused heated debates about safety and political retaliation in Washington. So now President Trump’s order stands, and Harris will join the list of high-profile figures who must now provide their own security in a country where threats against political leaders are very frequent.
FAQs
- Why did Trump end Kamala Harris’ protection?
The White House said the threat assessment found no urgent risk, so the extended protection was no longer needed.
- How long is the former vice president entitled to security by law?
The vice president’s security should have ended 6 months after leaving the office, but Biden had extended it for another year for Harris.
- Has Trump ended protection for other people, too?
Yes, he has also ended protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Mike, Pompeo, and John Bolton.
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