Trump Revokes Security Detail for Kamala Harris as She Embarks on Book Tour
In a break with tradition, President Trump ends former Vice President Harris’s extended Secret Service coverage just prior to her book tour kickoff—raising questions of precedent.
Washington, D.C. — August 29, 2025
Under U.S. federal law, former vice presidents receive six months of Secret Service protection. In a rare move, President Biden quietly extended Kamala Harris’s coverage to January 2026. However, President Trump has now reversed that extension, terminating her protection effective September 1. The order was conveyed to the Department of Homeland Security via an executive memorandum. This revocation comes as Harris prepares for a 15-city book tour launching late September.
A senior White House official confirmed that Trump’s letter “authorized the discontinuation of any security-related procedures previously authorized by Executive Memorandum beyond those required by law.” The decision places Harris—who remains a high-profile political figure and potential 2028 presidential contender—without Secret Service support as she reenters the public sphere.
Harris’s adviser, Kirsten Allen, responded with gratitude:
“The vice president is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety.”
As a result, only Joe and Jill Biden continue to receive lifetime protection among officials from the previous administration. Trump has previously revoked protection for others, including former Homeland Security head Alejandro Mayorkas and Biden’s adult children.
While Kamala Harris has already surpassed the standard six-month protection window afforded to former vice presidents, the decision to terminate her coverage remains highly symbolic.
The timing is especially pointed: Harris is stepping back into the public eye with a national book tour, and the absence of federal protection will likely make her security arrangements a matter of private responsibility and political optics. For supporters, this may underscore the risks faced by outspoken figures in America’s polarized climate. For critics, it reflects a return to the norm—where public funds no longer cover individuals outside of their term of service.
Ultimately, the move reshapes expectations around how former high-ranking officials navigate post-office life. Harris must now rely on private security infrastructure, and the episode may serve as a warning to future leaders that tradition should be respected.
