Trump’s Latest Order Leaves Harris Exposed — Right Before a Major Event
Published: September 8, 2025
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has encountered a high-profile security setback just as she prepares to launch her highly anticipated book tour. Several recent developments have sparked concern among political observers and local officials.
1. Secret Service Protection Revoked
On August 28, President Donald Trump issued a formal memorandum directing the termination of Harris’s extended Secret Service protection effective September 1, 2025. The measure reversed an undisclosed year-long extension granted by President Joe Biden—beyond the customary six-month post-vice-presidency protection—bringing her coverage to an abrupt end roughly a year early.ReutersAP NewsThe TimesThe Daily Beast
2. Timing Amid Book Promotions
The timing of the revocation is particularly striking: Harris is set to release her memoir, 107 Days, on September 23, followed by a 15-city book tour starting September 24—a highly visible public return to the national stage.AP NewsReutersThe Daily BeastThe Times The memoir recounts her brief presidential campaign, and the book tour will increase her exposure during a period deemed politically sensitive.
3. Local Response and Substitute Security
In response, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) temporarily deployed Metro Division officers to provide security at Harris’s Brentwood residence—prompting criticism that these officers were pulled from active crime-fighting duties in the San Fernando Valley.New York Post+1 Public backlash followed, with the Los Angeles Police Protective League condemning the use of taxpayer-funded officers to protect a private citizen who could finance her own security. Consequently, the PATROL DETAIL was withdrawn after just a few days.New York Post
Meanwhile, Mayor Karen Bass, alongside Governor Gavin Newsom, denounced Trump’s move as politicized and dangerous. Bass termed the revocation “political retaliation,” and Newsom’s team emphasized that public safety should not be subjected to erratic political impulses.New York Post+1IndiatimesAP News
4. Financial and Safety Implications
With her federal protection now gone, Harris’s team is expected to arrange private security, a process that could cost millions annually, especially given the need for around-the-clock security and ongoing threat monitoring.Indiatimes Although the Secret Service’s threat assessments reportedly found no credible risks, the abrupt withdrawal has alarmed security experts, particularly amid the polarized and volatile political climate.AP News
Summary Table
Key Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Protection End Date | Secret Service coverage ended September 1, 2025 |
Initial Extension | Granted by Biden; would have lasted into 2026 |
Book Tour Launch | Begins around September 24, 2025 |
Local Interim Measures | LAPD deployed, later withdrawn after criticism |
Political Response | Backlash from Mayor Bass and Gov. Newsom |
Future Security Plan | Private protection being arranged—costly and urgent |
Conclusion
This unfolding scenario underscores the intersection of politics, public safety, and celebrity in American political life. The removal of Harris’s federal security just as she re-engages public platforms raises serious questions about precedent, motivation, and risk. It also amplifies the broader debate over whether the safety of public figures should be subject to partisan decision-making.