Trump Revokes Harris’s Secret Service Detail
By Darius Spearman (africanelements)
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Secret Service Protection Changes
President Donald Trump has ended the Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris (apnews.com). This decision overrides an extension granted by former President Joe Biden. Harris’s security detail will conclude on September 1 (apnews.com). This action cuts short the 18-month extension Biden had authorized in his final days in office (apnews.com).
By law, former vice presidents typically receive six months of Secret Service coverage after leaving office (yahoo.com). The Secret Service detail assigned to Harris will be reassigned to preparations for the United Nations General Assembly. Afterward, these agents will move to other assignments (apnews.com). The Secret Service’s protection mission has expanded significantly over time (fas.org). This expansion includes protecting high-level government officials (fas.org). In 1975, Congress expanded the Secret Service’s mission to include the Vice President’s immediate family (fas.org). Furthermore, in 1976, Congress refined the protection mission by regulating the number and types of property to be protected. They also expanded the list of eligible protectees to include spouses of presidential and vice presidential candidates (fas.org). The “protectee” list was again expanded in 1977. At that time, Congress authorized the USSS to continue protecting specified federal officials and their families (fas.org).
Political Motivations and Precedent
President Trump’s decision aligns with other recent actions to revoke Secret Service protection for individuals associated with the Biden administration. For instance, Trump previously ended Secret Service protection for Joe Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden (yahoo.com). Trump publicly stated on Truth Social that Hunter Biden had “ridiculous” Secret Service protection for an extended period, paid for by taxpayers (newsweek.com). Other recent presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, granted extended protection to their families upon leaving office (yahoo.com). However, this extended protection is not automatically granted to adult children (yahoo.com).
The Secret Service is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (dhs.gov). The U.S. Secret Service’s Congressional Budget Justification document for FY26 is published by the Department of Homeland Security (dhs.gov). The Secret Service’s budget justification mentions the need to address “emerging threats and adversarial technologies” to protect the White House Complex and other protected sites (dhs.gov). The budget includes funds for “unexpected maintenance for existing protective countermeasures” (dhs.gov). The U.S. Secret Service submits a Congressional Budget Justification document, outlining its funding needs, including for protective countermeasures and international field operations (dhs.gov). The FY26 Congressional Budget Justification includes $6,675,000 for International Cooperative Administrative Support Services for international field operations (dhs.gov).
Timing and Public Safety Concerns
The timing of this revocation is significant because Kamala Harris is set to embark on a high-profile book tour (apnews.com). Harris is scheduled to launch a 15-city book tour promoting her upcoming memoir, “107 Days” (apnews.com). This memoir recounts her brief 2024 presidential run (apnews.com). The removal of her protection comes less than a month before the tour begins (apnews.com). This raises concerns about her safety as she steps back into the national spotlight (apnews.com).
The Secret Service has a National Threat Assessment Center (secretservice.gov). The Secret Service provides protection for leaders, safeguards sensitive locations, and secures high-profile events (secretservice.gov). The Secret Service has boosted protection for both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as they campaign (washingtonpost.com). Experienced Presidential Protective Division personnel may assist in advance planning for former President Donald Trump and other high-level protectees, including Harris, for complex and large-scale events (washingtonpost.com). This assistance is separate from the President’s operational demands (washingtonpost.com).
Understanding Secret Service Details
Secret Service protection for presidential candidates and their families can be a complex and evolving issue. The Secret Service increased protection for both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in August 2024, ahead of the November election (washingtonpost.com). Agents from President Biden’s protective detail assisted in this effort (washingtonpost.com). This increased assistance for Trump followed an assassination attempt against him at a campaign rally in July 2024 (washingtonpost.com). Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Secret Service protection was stripped after he suspended his campaign in 10 states (dailymail.co.uk). This is standard procedure when candidates drop out (dailymail.co.uk). The directive for RFK Jr.’s Secret Service detail originally came after the assassination attempt against Donald Trump (dailymail.co.uk).
“Secret Service details” and “protective details” refer to the teams of agents assigned to protect individuals. “Protective details” have grown in size, responsibility, and technology over more than a century of the Secret Service protecting presidents (usnews.com). The Secret Service boosts protection for Trump and Harris as they campaign (washingtonpost.com). Experienced Presidential Protective Division personnel may assist in advance planning for high-level protectees like candidates for complex and large-scale events (washingtonpost.com).
Impact on Kamala Harris’s Book Tour
The revocation of Secret Service protection for Kamala Harris before her book tour raises significant questions about her safety and logistical arrangements. Without federal protection, Harris will need to rely on alternative security measures. This could involve private security or state-level protection, if available. The scope and resources of such protection may differ significantly from federal Secret Service coverage. The change in protection comes at a critical time, as her book tour will place her in numerous public settings across multiple cities.
The absence of Secret Service agents means that the meticulous advance planning and coordination that federal protective details provide will be missing. This includes threat assessments, route planning, and coordination with local law enforcement. While the Secret Service has a National Threat Assessment Center, the specifics of how they conduct these assessments and what criteria are used for continuation of protection are not publicly detailed. The decision to revoke protection, especially when no credible threats were publicly identified against Harris, highlights the complex interplay between security considerations and political decisions. This situation underscores the challenges faced by high-profile individuals when federal protection is withdrawn.
Secret Service Protection for Former Vice Presidents
The Evolving Landscape of Protection
The Secret Service’s role has continuously adapted to new challenges and threats. The agency’s budget justification highlights the need to address “emerging threats and adversarial technologies” (dhs.gov). This indicates a proactive approach to security in a rapidly changing world. The expansion of protection to include family members and candidates reflects a recognition of the broader risks faced by public figures. However, the discretion involved in granting and revoking extended protection, especially for adult children, remains a point of public discussion.
The situation with Kamala Harris’s protection also highlights the potential for political considerations to influence security decisions. While the Secret Service operates under a mandate to protect, the ultimate authority for extending or revoking protection often rests with the sitting president. This dynamic can create tension, particularly when political rivals are involved. The public’s understanding of these processes is crucial for maintaining trust in institutions responsible for national security. The Secret Service’s history shows a consistent effort to adapt its protective measures to the evolving landscape of threats and political realities.
Secret Service Budget Highlights (FY26)
The Role of Threat Assessments
The Secret Service relies on threat intelligence assessments to determine the level and duration of protection needed. While the specifics of these assessments are not publicly detailed, they are crucial for ensuring the safety of protectees. The existence of a National Threat Assessment Center within the Secret Service indicates a structured approach to identifying and mitigating potential dangers. However, the balance between these assessments and political decisions can be delicate. The revocation of Harris’s protection, despite no public mention of a credible threat, raises questions about the criteria used in such decisions.
Understanding Secret Service Protection
Protect & Deter
The U.S. Secret Service safeguards leaders and secures key places and events. Coverage evolves with law, threat assessments, and executive direction.
Who is protected
- Other officials and dignitaries as authorized.
Where protection applies
- Security extends to protected sites and National Special Security Events (NSSEs).
How scope is set
- Duration and resources adjust to evolving risks and legal requirements.
The Secret Service’s mission has always been to protect. This includes adapting to new forms of threats, whether from individuals or advanced technologies. The agency’s budget reflects this ongoing need for resources to combat “emerging threats and adversarial technologies” (dhs.gov). The decision to remove protection for a high-profile individual like Kamala Harris, especially before a major public engagement like a book tour, underscores the complexities of executive authority in security matters. It also highlights the importance of transparency in how such critical decisions are made, particularly when they impact public figures and their safety.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.
