Trump ends secret service protection for former VP Kamala Harris

Washington: President Donald Trump has revoked Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a senior White House official on Friday.

What is the usual protocol for ecret Service protection?

Normally, former vice presidents receive federal protection for six months after leaving office, while former presidents are protected for life. However, a person familiar with the matter revealed that then-President Joe Biden quietly signed a directive extending Harris's protection beyond the usual six months.

What has Trump’s administration done?

A senior Trump administration official stated that an executive memorandum was issued on Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security, ending Harris’s security detail and services. The protection, previously extended by the Biden administration from six to 18 months, which would have ended in July 2026, will now terminate on Monday.

What context surrounds this development?

The move to revoke Harris's Secret Service protection comes as the former vice president prepares to embark on a book tour for her memoir, titled “107 Days,” which is scheduled to be released next month. The official highlighted that last year was a particularly politically charged environment, with Trump facing two assassination attempts, during which the Secret Service played a crucial role in safeguarding the now-president.

Who Is Kamala Harris?

Harris is a former California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney. She also recently announced she will not run for governor next year. Trump, a Republican, defeated Harris, a Democrat, in the presidential election last year.

The people familiar with the matter insisted on anonymity to discuss a matter not made public. This development adds a new chapter to the politically tense atmosphere surrounding the former vice president.

(AP inputs)