President Donald Trump issued a memorandum directing DHS to end Kamala Harris’ Secret Service protection effective September 1, 2025. Harris’ standard post–vice presidency coverage legally expired on July 21, 2025, but it had been extended by a previously undisclosed directive signed by President Joe Biden. Trump’s memo cancels that extension.
Why this matters now
Harris is about to re-enter the spotlight with a multi-city book tour for her memoir, 107 Days, beginning later in September. Ending her federal protection before that schedule increases logistical and security complexity around public events.
The legal baseline, in plain English
Former vice presidents: by law, receive six months of Secret Service protection after leaving office. Former presidents and their spouses: receive lifetime protection. Biden’s extension for Harris went beyond the statutory six months, which a sitting president can do. Trump, as the current president, has now reversed that discretionary extension.
What protection actually disappears?
Secret Service coverage is more than agents by the SUV. It includes 24/7 physical detail, threat-intelligence monitoring, and coordination with local law enforcement. Without the federal detail, Harris can still hire private security and seek local police support (e.g., in Los Angeles), but those options don’t replace the Secret Service’s national authority and intel pipeline.
The politics and the pushback
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the move as risky and politically motivated. The White House and Secret Service declined immediate comment in initial reports. Harris’ team publicly thanked the Secret Service for its service.
Security context
High-profile national figures routinely face threats. Harris, as the first woman and first Black woman to serve as vice president — and a recent presidential nominee — has drawn elevated security interest in the past, according to reporting. Whether those risks justify federal coverage beyond the legal six months is ultimately a presidential call unless Congress changes the rules.
What happens next (practical view)
Date to watch: September 1, 2025 — the federal detail stands down. Near term: Expect Harris’ team to ramp up private security and work with local police for tour stops. Policy angle: This could spark a Congressional debate on standardizing extensions for former VPs who remain in the public arena.
Quick FAQs
Q1: Is Kamala Harris getting no protection now?
Not necessarily. She loses federal Secret Service coverage, but can use private security and local law enforcement support for events.
Q2: Could the federal detail be restored?
Yes. The president can reinstate or extend protection at any time, and Congress could pass legislation to change eligibility rules.
Q3: Why did Biden extend it in the first place?
Reports say Biden quietly signed a directive extending Harris’ protection beyond six months. The administration did not publicly detail its rationale at the time.
Q4: How does this affect her book tour?
Event organizers will likely face higher costs, tighter venue controls, and more coordination with local agencies to manage crowds and online/offline threats.
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