Trump Cuts Harris Secret Service Protection
Donald Trump just pulled Secret Service protection from former Vice President Kamala Harris, and the timing is pretty interesting. Harris is about to kick off a 15-city book tour, which means she'll be traveling around the country without the security detail she's had since leaving office.
A senior White House official confirmed that Trump signed the memo on August 28th, and Harris' protection ends September 1st. That's cutting it pretty close to her book tour schedule.
Normally, vice presidents get Secret Service protection for six months after they leave office. But Joe Biden had extended Harris' protection to a full year before he left the White House. Trump's basically undoing that extension and sticking to the standard timeline.
Not the First Time
This isn't exactly unprecedented for Trump. He's already canceled Secret Service protection for several other former officials and critics. John Bolton, who served as Trump's national security adviser before they had a very public falling out, lost his protection. So did Hunter Biden, though that one's probably less surprising given the political dynamics.
The pattern seems pretty clear - if you've been critical of Trump or ran against him, your security detail might be in jeopardy.
Harris' Response
Harris' team is keeping things diplomatic, at least publicly. Kirsten Allen, one of Harris' advisers, put out a statement saying, "The Vice President is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety."
That's about as polite as you can be when you're essentially being told you're on your own for security going forward.
The Book Tour Factor
The timing of this decision is worth noting. Harris is getting ready to launch a 15-city book tour, which means she'll be making public appearances across the country. Book tours typically involve meet-and-greets, signings, and other events where authors interact directly with the public.
For someone who was recently a vice president and Trump's opponent in the 2024 election, that's a lot of exposure without federal protection. She'll have to arrange for private security or rely on local law enforcement at each stop.
Political Implications
Harris was Trump's Democratic opponent in the 2024 presidential race, which adds another layer to this decision. It's one thing to cut protection for former officials after a reasonable amount of time has passed. It's another to do it for someone who recently ran against you and is about to embark on a very public tour.
The move was first reported by CNN and The New York Times, so it's getting plenty of media attention. Whether that was intentional or not, it's certainly putting the spotlight on Trump's approach to security for former officials.
Standard Practice or Political Payback?
There's always been some subjectivity in how long former officials keep their Secret Service protection. Presidents have discretion in these matters, and different administrations have handled things differently.
Trump could argue he's just following standard protocol by limiting protection to the typical six-month period. Critics will probably see it as political retaliation against someone who opposed him.
The fact that he's done this with multiple former officials who've been critical of him suggests it might be more about settling scores than following established norms.
What Happens Next
Harris will need to make alternative security arrangements for her book tour and any other public appearances. That's not uncommon for former high-ranking officials - many hire private security firms once their federal protection ends.
But given the current political climate and the fact that she was Trump's recent opponent, the security considerations are probably more complex than for a typical former vice president.
The whole situation highlights how personal and political these decisions can become. What should be routine administrative matters about security protection end up becoming news stories that reflect broader political tensions.
For Harris, it means adjusting to life without federal security protection just as she's preparing for a very public book tour. That's definitely not ideal timing, but it's the reality she'll have to work with now.
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