Washington, 29 August 2025 – In a decisive move, President Donald Trump formally rescinded the extended Secret Service protection granted to former Vice President Kamala Harris by the Biden administration. The termination, effective 1 September 2025, was enacted via an executive memorandum issued to the Department of Homeland Security.
Under U.S. federal law, former vice presidents are typically entitled to six months of Secret Service protection upon leaving office—meaning Harris’s coverage was set to expire on 21 July 2025. However, in a move that caught many by surprise, President Biden quietly extended that protection to a full year before leaving the White House. Trump’s newly issued directive nullifies that extension.
The directive, titled “Memorandum for the Secretary of Homeland Security,” instructs that “any security-related procedures previously authorized by Executive Memorandum, beyond those required by law” are to be discontinued for Harris.
The timing of the revocation has raised questions. Harris is on the cusp of launching a national tour to promote her forthcoming memoir, “107 Days,” scheduled for release in September. This tour includes multiple high-profile appearances and has elevated concerns about her personal security as federal protection is withdrawn.
The political reaction was swift. Advocates of the move frame it as a return to standard legal practice, while critics—including prominent California figures—label it politically motivated and potentially dangerous. Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, among others, criticized the move as retribution, pointing to Harris’s historic status as the first woman and first Black and South Asian vice president.
Harris’s inner circle responded with cautious dignity. Kirsten Allen, a senior adviser, said Harris is “grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety,” offering a cordial tone despite the abrupt policy shift.
This revocation follows a broader pattern under the Trump administration of removing federal protections and clearances from former officials associated with the Biden era—including Harris herself, whose security clearance was revoked in March.
As of now, the Secret Service has not issued an official comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Harris’s team may need to seek private security arrangements to safeguard the former vice president—particularly as she embarks on a high-profile public campaign in the coming weeks.
