Trump Revokes Kamala Harris's Secret Service Protection
U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked the Secret Service protection previously extended to former Vice President and 2024 Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris. The decision, confirmed by a spokesperson for Harris and a senior White House official, takes effect from September 1, according to a memorandum issued by the President.
Background and Context
Former Vice Presidents in the United States are typically granted six months of Secret Service protection after leaving office. However, this period for Harris was extended by then-President Joe Biden to a year beyond the usual term, a decision Trump has now rescinded.
As reported by Fox News, a senior White House official said there was no reason given for the revocation. The Secret Service was notified of this decision, which was made the day before the announcement.
Key Developments
The decision to end Harris's Secret Service detail comes ahead of her planned 15-city book tour for her memoir titled 107 Days,
as reported by the South China Morning Post. The tour is set to kick off in late September.
A letter obtained by The Guardian and CNN, dated Thursday and titled “Memorandum for the Secretary of Homeland Security,” instructed the Secret Service to “discontinue any security-related procedures beyond those required by law” effective from September 1.
The New York Times reported that Biden had extended Harris's protection before he left office, a move that Trump has now cancelled. This extension was quietly put in place by Biden, as noted by Clarin, a decision that has now been halted by Trump.
Implications and Reactions
The decision to revoke Harris's Secret Service protection has raised eyebrows as it came amidst growing concerns over political violence in the U.S., a point highlighted by Al Jazeera English. The broadcaster also noted that Trump himself had faced two campaign assassination attempts.
BBC News commented on the strain faced by the Secret Service, suggesting that this could be a potential reason for the withdrawal of protection. However, no official statement has confirmed this claim.
Current Status
As of now, Harris's Secret Service protection officially ends on September 1, 2025. The move, signed by the Republican President on Thursday (28), will take effect from Monday (1st), as reported by Folha de S.Paulo. There has been no official statement regarding the reasons behind this decision or any potential impact it might have on Harris's upcoming public appearances.