In a move that has stunned political circles and security experts alike, President Donald Trump has revoked Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, just months after returning to the White House. The abrupt termination of her security detail—quietly ordered through an executive directive—marks the end of a critical safety net for one of the nation’s most high-profile political figures.
CNN first obtained the letter, dated earlier this month, which reads in full: “You are hereby authorized to discontinue any security-related procedures previously authorized by Executive Memorandum, beyond those required by law, for the following individual, effective September 1, 2025: Former Vice President Kamala D. Harris.”
The revocation dismantles a protection extension quietly issued by President Joe Biden before he left office. Although vice presidents are legally entitled to just six months of protection after leaving office, Biden had authorized an additional year—an order that was never made public until Trump’s administration moved to reverse it.
The timing of Trump’s decision is impossible to ignore. Harris is set to launch a nationwide tour promoting her memoir “107 Days”, which chronicles her brief yet explosive run for president following Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race. The cancellation takes effect just as she is set to enter a period of intense public exposure and vulnerability.
Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles—where Harris now resides—pulled no punches in her reaction: “This is another act of revenge following a long list of political retaliation in the form of firings, the revoking of security clearances and more. This puts the former Vice President in danger and I look forward to working with the Governor to make sure Vice President Harris is safe in Los Angeles.”
Security experts and insiders familiar with Harris’ protective detail say the threat landscape she faces is far from ordinary. As the first woman and the first Black woman to serve as vice president, Harris was already a target for extremist rhetoric and credible threats—conditions that only escalated after she became the Democratic nominee last year.
While the White House has offered no formal explanation, the political undertones are clear. This is not just a bureaucratic adjustment—it’s a calculated break from precedent. Former presidents retain protection for life. Vice presidents rarely need to ask for extensions. But when they do, it’s almost always granted—quietly, and without controversy.
Kirsten Allen, a senior adviser to Harris, issued a restrained but clear response: “The Vice President is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety.”
The decision comes amid a broader climate of political retaliation under Trump’s second term, with reports of purges, dismissals, and abrupt policy reversals targeting former administration officials and political rivals. The rescinding of Harris’s protection is the most visible—and most personal—yet.
For now, her safety will rest with state and local officials, and whatever private security she chooses to deploy. But the message has already been sent—and received.
