Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will no longer receive protection from the United States Secret Service as President Donald Trump has signed an executive memorandum terminating the security detail assigned to her.
According to a report by The New York Times, the decision was made official on Thursday, with the security arrangement set to end by Monday. The directive, addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, instructed that all security-related measures previously authorized for Harris—beyond those mandated by law—be discontinued.
Traditionally, former vice presidents are entitled to six months of Secret Service protection after leaving office. However, former President Joe Biden had earlier extended Harris’s protection by an additional year due to heightened security threats, particularly stemming from her history-making tenure and subsequent political visibility.
Ms. Harris, who served as America’s first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president, faced significant threats throughout her time in office. These increased after she became the Democratic presidential nominee in mid-2024, following President Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
People familiar with the security arrangements revealed that the extension of her protection was granted at the request of her aides, who expressed serious concerns about her safety—concerns that reportedly persist.
The timing of the security withdrawal is notable, as Ms. Harris is set to begin a nationwide tour to promote her new book, “107 Days,” which details her unexpected presidential run. The book is due for release on September 23 and is expected to draw large crowds during promotional events.
Despite the sudden end to her protection, Kirsten Allen, a senior adviser to Harris, released a calm and appreciative statement:
“The former vice president is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety.”
Sources within the Democratic Party and former White House aides expressed concern over the risks Harris may now face, especially during public engagements and high-profile appearances. While there has been no official comment from Ms. Harris or her team on possible alternative private security arrangements, observers expect additional measures to be taken to ensure her safety during the book tour.
This is not the first time President Trump has terminated security details granted to officials from previous administrations. Since assuming office, Trump has removed Secret Service protection from several high-profile individuals.
Immediately after his swearing-in, Trump revoked security coverage for John Bolton, his former national security adviser, following a bitter public fallout. He also ended protection for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top aide Brian Hook, despite credible intelligence reports warning that both men faced threats, particularly from Iran.
Earlier in March 2025, Trump terminated the protection extended to President Biden’s children, Hunter and Ashley Biden, reversing a prior executive order issued by Biden.
Critics have described these decisions as politically motivated and vindictive, especially as they appear to target individuals who either served under Democratic administrations or had fallen out with Trump personally.
While President Trump has the legal authority to alter Secret Service protection through executive directives, the decision regarding Kamala Harris raises questions about political retaliation, especially considering her historic significance and continued relevance within the Democratic Party.
Harris, who had been viewed as a leading figure in the party after Biden’s exit, emerged as the presidential nominee in 2024 but ultimately lost to Trump in a highly contested election. Since then, she has maintained a relatively low profile but continues to command significant support within liberal and minority communities.
When contacted about the development, spokespeople for President Biden and the White House declined to comment. The Secret Service has also not issued any public statement regarding the change in Harris’s security status.
Analysts suggest that the Biden administration may be choosing to avoid further politicization of the issue, but behind the scenes, officials are believed to be concerned over the precedent this decision may set.
With the 2028 U.S. presidential race already beginning to take shape, this development could become part of a broader debate on how security is used or withheld as a tool in partisan politics.
