President Donald Trump has ordered an end to Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, reversing a security extension granted by Joe Biden before leaving office, according to advisers and documents seen by the BBC.
By law, former vice presidents are entitled to six months of Secret Service protection after leaving office. Harris’s coverage, which was due to expire in July, had been extended for an additional year under a directive signed by Biden. However, a memo dated 28 August directs the Secret Service to “discontinue any security-related procedures previously authorised by Executive Memorandum, beyond those required by law,” effective 1 September.
The decision comes as Harris prepares to launch a national book tour for her memoir, 107 Days, which chronicles her brief and ultimately unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign.
A senior White House official confirmed the move, while sources familiar with the matter told CBS, the BBC’s US partner, that a recent threat assessment found no justification for extending Harris’s security detail beyond the statutory period.
Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, lost his own protection on 1 July when the six-month entitlement expired. The revocation means Harris will no longer have agents assigned to her person or residence in Los Angeles, nor the threat intelligence work typically provided by the Secret Service. Equivalent private security could cost millions of dollars annually.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticised the decision, calling it politically motivated and dangerous. “This is another act of revenge following a long list of political retaliation in the form of firings, revoked clearances, and more,” Bass told CNN. She vowed to ensure Harris’s safety while in Los Angeles.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has revoked protection for several high-profile figures, including Hunter and Ashley Biden, Anthony Fauci, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, a vocal critic of the administration.
Harris, the first woman and first person of colour to serve as vice president, faced multiple security threats during her tenure. In August 2024, a Virginia man was charged with making online threats against Harris and former President Barack Obama. Earlier, in 2021, a Florida woman pleaded guilty to sending videos threatening Harris with violence.
The move also comes against the backdrop of Trump’s own history with political violence he survived two assassination attempts during last year’s presidential campaign, incidents in which the Secret Service played a pivotal role.
Source: BBC
