President Donald Trump revoked former Vice President Kamala Harris’ Secret Service protection on Thursday, according to a letter reviewed by CNN.
Former presidents and vice presidents usually receive Secret Service protection for life. Harris, as a former vice president, received six months of protection after leaving office, which ended on July 21. But her protection had been extended for an extra year through a directive – not made public until now – signed by then-President Joe Biden shortly before leaving office, according to multiple people familiar with the arrangement.
Trump canceled that extension in a letter titled “Memorandum for the Secretary of Homeland Security,” dated Thursday. The letter states:
“You are hereby authorized to discontinue any security-related procedures previously authorized by Executive Memorandum, beyond those required by law, for the following individual, effective September 1, 2025: Former Vice President Kamala D. Harris.”
A Secret Service official told CNN that the order to remove Harris’ detail came directly from the White House. The decision was not part of a security review or new threat assessment. The official added that Harris’ detail would have included between a dozen and a few dozen agents, depending on her schedule and shift changes, to provide 24-hour protection.
Trump’s decision comes just as Harris prepares for a multi-city book tour to promote 107 Days, her new memoir on her short presidential campaign, which will be released on September 23. The tour will put her in the public eye more than she has been since leaving office.
“The Vice President is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety,” said Kirsten Allen, a senior adviser to Harris.
Security for presidents and presidential candidates is important because threats are common. During Trump’s campaign, there were two assassination attempts against him. Harris’ security concerns were particularly high because she was the first woman and first Black woman to hold the vice presidency. These concerns remained significant even after her campaign ended, according to people familiar with her security operations.
A Biden spokesperson did not comment on why he signed the order extending Harris’ protection.
Losing her Secret Service detail affects more than just in-person security. Secret Service protection also includes constant threat monitoring through emails, texts, and social media. With the detail canceled, Harris’ team may lose access to this intelligence. Her Los Angeles home will no longer be protected by federal agents.
Providing the same level of protection privately could cost millions of dollars each year. Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, also lost his personal Secret Service detail on July 21, following the standard rules for former vice presidents’ spouses.
California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom was informed late Thursday about Harris losing her protection. A source told CNN that the governor’s office could not comment on security plans or replacements.
However, Newsom’s spokesperson Bob Salladay criticized Trump’s decision:
“The safety of our public officials should never be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses.”
Harris could also receive protection from the Los Angeles Police Department. Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Newsom spoke Thursday evening about the situation.
“This is another act of revenge following a long list of political retaliation in the form of firings, the revoking of security clearances and more. This puts the former Vice President in danger and I look forward to working with the Governor to make sure Vice President Harris is safe in Los Angeles,” Bass said in a statement to CNN.
