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Trump revokes Kamala Harris extended Secret Service protection after Biden directive

President Trump revoked Kamala Harris’ Secret Service protection on Thursday after it became known she had the detail beyond the six months that former vice presidents usually receive when they leave office. Here’s what you need to know about the security protection revocation:

The protection revocation order

Trump cancels Biden’s extension of Harris security detail:

  • Only former presidents keep Secret Service protection for remainder of their lives after leaving White House
  • Harris’ protection, by federal law, was supposed to end on July 21
  • Directive signed by President Biden before he left office extended her Secret Service protection by additional year
  • Trump canceled Biden directive Thursday in letter, first reviewed by CNN, titled “Memorandum for the Secretary of Homeland Security”

The official directive language

Memorandum specifies September 1 termination date:

  • “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”
  • Washington Times reached out to Secret Service for comment
  • As Los Angeles resident, Harris could still receive protection from city police department
  • Revocation applies to federal Secret Service protection specifically

The Democratic response

California officials criticize move as political retaliation:

  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke on Thursday about the issue
  • “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,” Bass said in statement
  • “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”
  • Officials frame decision as part of broader pattern of political payback

The 2024 campaign precedent

Democratic leaders previously called for stripping Trump’s protection:

  • Last year, during 2024 presidential campaign, Democratic leaders called for stripping Secret Service protection from Trump
  • Calls came because New York court convicted him of felony falsification of business records
  • But security detail was never canceled for Trump despite conviction
  • Precedent shows political calls for security revocation from both parties

The Biden family protection cuts

Harris revocation follows earlier termination of other protections:

  • Revocation of Harris’ secret service protection comes months after Trump canceled secret service protection for several other Biden family members
  • Including President Biden’s son Hunter and daughter Ashley
  • Hunter Biden had up to 18 agents assigned to him, while Ashley Biden had 13 agents before detail was pulled in March
  • Pattern shows systematic removal of extended security details from previous administration

The House security funding increase

Lawmakers boost their own protection amid broader cuts:

  • Meanwhile, House recently upped security funding for lawmakers
  • Each House member now receives $20,000 for high-end security at their residences as well as $5,000 per month for personal security
  • New funding, which was announced before August recess, applies to all 435 House members
  • Increase comes despite Trump administration’s broader security cuts

The threat justification

House leaders cite increasing dangers to lawmakers:

  • House leaders defended decision to spend more money on themselves despite their cost-cutting agenda
  • Cited increasing number of threats made against lawmakers and their families in Washington and their home districts
  • “The enhancements to member security are a step in the right direction. There is never space for political violence in the United States,” said House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, Wisconsin Republican
  • Lawmakers’ security increases contrast with cuts to former officials’ protection

Read more:

Trump revokes Kamala Harris’ extended Secret Service protection


This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com


The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.

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