By Gloria Nosa
Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will lose her Secret Service protection following a directive from President Donald Trump that cancels an extension granted by his predecessor, Joe Biden, CNN has reported.
A letter dated Thursday and titled “Memorandum for the Secretary of Homeland Security” instructed that all security arrangements previously authorized for Harris, beyond what is legally required, be terminated effective September 1, 2025.
By law, former vice presidents are entitled to six months of protection after leaving office. That period expired for Harris on July 21, but Biden quietly extended her security detail for another year, citing ongoing risks. Trump’s latest order reverses that decision.
The change means Harris will no longer have round-the-clock personal security agents or access to continuous threat assessments, including monitoring of potential dangers from digital platforms and public appearances. Federal protection at her Los Angeles residence will also end.
Kirsten Allen, a senior adviser to Harris, expressed appreciation to the Secret Service, saying the former vice president was grateful for their “professionalism and dedication.” Harris is preparing to launch a nationwide book tour for her memoir, 107 Days, which will now take place without federal protection.
Her husband, Doug Emhoff, had already lost his personal detail when the standard coverage for spouses of former vice presidents expired in July.
The decision has drawn swift criticism in California. Governor Gavin Newsom, after being briefed on the development, described it as dangerous and politically motivated. “The safety of public officials should not be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses,” said his spokesperson, Bob Salladay.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the move, calling it “an act of political revenge” that puts Harris at risk. She vowed to work with state officials to ensure the former vice president’s safety in Los Angeles.
Neither the White House nor the Secret Service has commented on the decision. With Harris now facing greater public exposure through her upcoming tour, questions remain over the financial burden of private security, which experts estimate could cost millions of dollars each year.
