Former Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to receive protection from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) after President Donald Trump reportedly ordered the Secret Service to discontinue her federal security detail ahead of her upcoming book tour.
According to the Los Angeles Times, state officials are preparing a plan to provide Harris with dignitary protection following Trump’s reversal of an order signed by President Joe Biden in January 2025.
That directive had extended Harris’s Secret Service coverage until January 2026, well beyond the standard six-month post-term period afforded to former vice presidents.
Security Shift and Political Fallout
The abrupt withdrawal of protection has prompted concern among California leaders. Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass held discussions on Thursday, Aug. 28, to coordinate a response. Newsom’s office would not confirm specifics, citing security protocols, but stated that “the safety of our public officials should never be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses.”
Mayor Bass criticized the move as “another act of revenge,” warning that the decision “puts the former Vice President in danger” as Harris prepares to travel for her memoir release this fall.
Harris’s upcoming book details her 107-day campaign for president after Biden exited the race, a candid account that is expected to draw significant attention and a high public profile during promotional events.
Broader Context: Trump’s Use of Security Authority
This development comes amid a broader pattern in which Trump has reportedly used his authority over the Secret Service to cut protective details for perceived adversaries.
Earlier this year, the president ordered security to be withdrawn from his former National Security Adviser John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, despite both men being named in Iranian assassination threats linked to the U.S. drone strike on General Qassem Soleimani.
In March, Trump also terminated Secret Service protection for several members of **Joe Biden’s family**, including his son Hunter Biden, following public pressure from far-right commentators.
Harris’s Current Role
Since her defeat in the 2024 presidential election, Harris has kept a relatively low profile.
She recently ended speculation about a possible gubernatorial run in California, confirming that she would not seek elected office in the state. Her memoir and book tour, however, are expected to reintroduce her to the national stage at a politically charged moment.
Should Governor Newsom approve the plan, the CHP will assume Harris’s protection duties as she embarks on public appearances, ensuring continuity of security in the absence of federal detail.
