From the Los Angeles Times: Former Vice President Kamala Harris will receive protection from the California Highway Patrol after President Trump revoked her Secret Service protection, law enforcement sources said Friday.
California officials put in place a plan to provide Harris with dignitary protection after Trump ended an arrangement that gave his opponent in last year’s election extended Secret Service security coverage.
Trump signed a memorandum on Thursday ending Harris’ protection as of Monday, according to sources not authorized to discuss the security matter.
Former vice presidents usually get Secret Service protection for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents get protection for life. But before his term ended, then-President Biden signed an order to extend Harris’ protection beyond six months to July 2026. Aides to Harris had asked Biden for the extension. Without it, her security detail would have ended last month, according to sources.
The report notes that the deal for CHP to protect Harris will require California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, but his office would not provide any details to the press.
Newsom’s spokesperson would only say, “Our office does not comment on security arrangements. The safety of our public officials should never be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses.”
However, Newsom’s office appears to be in on the deal, as the report states that Newsom’s office and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass discussed the issue Thursday evening.
Slamming President Trump for ending Harris’ extended Secret Service protection, Mayor Bass fumed, “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. 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.”
Bass did not elaborate on how Harris is “in danger,” and again, it is tradition that former vice presidents only receive 6 months of Secret Service protection after they leave office.
According to the Associated Press, no red flags or credible evidence of a threat to Harris has been found.
The report notes that former VP Mike Pence also only had the standard six months of protection after he left office.
Meanwhile, this comes as Harris is about to set off on a book tour next month, to promote a book she wrote about her short presidential campaign. She is scheduled to appear at 15 locations, including London and Toronto.
If this arrangement holds, California highway patrol officers will likely have to accompany Harris on her entire book tour.
“This is an insult to California taxpayers,” one person wrote on X.
“Oh so California taxpayers are footing the bill now,” Thomas Paine wrote.
“I’m sure the Cali taxpayers will be thrilled providing a security detail she could pay for herself,” another person fumed.
CHP to protect ex-VP Kamala Harris after Trump pulls Secret Service detail, sources say https://t.co/Ucm3RSpWJJ
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) August 29, 2025
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