U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the termination of Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, a senior White House official confirmed Friday. The move, effective September 1, comes despite a previous extension granted by then-President Joe Biden.
Traditionally, former vice presidents receive six months of Secret Service protection after leaving office. In Harris’ case, Biden extended the coverage to a full year, citing her continued public role and high-profile status following the contentious 2024 election. The extension was set to expire in January 2026.
The letter notifying Harris of the change, dated Thursday, informed her that federal protection would end immediately at the start of September. The timing coincides with Harris’ scheduled 15-city book tour promoting her upcoming memoir 107 Days, which recounts her brief but historic 2024 presidential run. Harris became the Democratic nominee after Biden withdrew from the race in the wake of a disastrous debate performance against Trump. However, her campaign lasted just 107 days before she was defeated in the general election.
Kirsten Allen, a senior adviser to Harris, expressed gratitude to the Secret Service despite the abrupt withdrawal of protection. “The vice president is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety,” Allen said.
The decision to end Harris’ coverage is part of a broader pattern by Trump, who has also stripped federal security protection from individuals who have clashed with him politically. In March, he rescinded protection for Biden’s children, Hunter and Ashley, and previously ended coverage for former national security adviser John Bolton, a prominent critic of his administration.
While Harris has remained largely out of the political spotlight since her loss, she has not ruled out a return to national politics. On July 30, she announced she would not seek the governorship of California in 2026, but left open the possibility of a presidential run in 2028.
The loss of federal protection raises questions about Harris’ security during her upcoming book tour and other public appearances. It also underscores Trump’s willingness to depart from precedent when dealing with political rivals and critics.
