In a recent development, President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security to terminate the Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris.
This decision, announced on Friday, reverses an extension granted by Joe Biden in the final days of his presidency, which had extended Harris' Secret Service detail for an additional year beyond the standard six-month period typically accorded to outgoing vice presidents.
"Effective September 1, 2025, you are hereby authorized to discontinue any security-related procedures previously authorized by Executive Memorandum, beyond those required by law, for the following individual: Former Vice President Kamala D. Harris," the memorandum issued on Thursday stated, according to RedState.
Simultaneously, it was revealed that Harris would receive protection from the California Highway Patrol during her forthcoming "107 Days" book tour. This arrangement was reportedly the result of discussions between Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who were deliberating on the best course of action in anticipation of Harris' tour.
The news of Trump's directive to the DHS sparked immediate reactions, with some critics hastily drawing conclusions. Among the most vocal was House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who labeled Trump's decision as "reckless" and accused Republicans of being "dangerously unfit to govern."
Jeffries stated, "The Trump administration canceled the Secret Service protection for Vice President Kamala Harris. Why would they do such a reckless thing? Republicans are psychotically consumed by revenge. These extremists are unfit to govern and dangerous to the American way of life."
In response, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) highlighted that Harris had received a month more protection than former VP Mike Pence. He also questioned Jeffries' silence when House Democrats attempted to revoke Trump's Secret Service protection three months prior to the first assassination attempt on him.
Lee asked, "Did you call out the Democrats who tried to take away Trumps Secret Service protection last yearwhile he was the GOP presidential nominee?"
In a related development that largely went unnoticed, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the ranking member on the House Committee on Homeland Security, proposed a bill in April 2024.
The legislation, titled "Denying Infinite Security and Government Resources Allocated toward Convicted and Extremely Dishonorable Former Protectees Act or the DISGRACED Former Protectees Act (H.R. 8081)," aimed to withdraw Secret Service protection for individuals sentenced to prison for federal or state felonies. Thompson's bill was co-sponsored by eight fellow House Democrats.
Furthermore, it's worth noting that in July 2023, then-Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was denied a Secret Service detail by Biden's DHS, despite an assessment by the Secret Service that he was at an elevated risk for adverse attention.
Adding to the controversy, questions have been raised about the allocation of funds for Harris' security during her book tour. Critics argue that if Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass can find the resources to secure Harris, they should also be able to fund public safety and security measures for California residents, such as Proposition 36.
This sentiment was echoed in a tweet that read, "So Karen Bass didnt have the money to fix fire trucks but she has the money to pay for security for Kamala Harris (private citizen) book tour???! STOP using our taxpayer money like your personal piggy bank!"
This series of events underscores the ongoing debate about the allocation of resources and the role of the Secret Service in protecting high-profile individuals. It also highlights the political tensions that continue to shape discussions about security and governance in the United States.
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