Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump again! What is Secret Service protection controversy that has erupted?

Former vice president Kamala Harris's Secret Service protection has been withdrawn by US President Donald Trump, American media outlets reported quoting officials on Friday. Republican's move comes just weeks before Democrat Harris is set to go on a tour to promote a new book about her failed presidential campaign against Trump last year. President Trump's critics called a fresh act of revenge against his political rivals.

Harris's office also confirmed the move. "The Vice President is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety," Kirsten Allen, a senior advisor to Harris, told AFP.

Secret Service Protection

The Secret Service customarily protects vice presidents for six months after they leave office, a period that ended on July 21 for Harris. But then-president Joe Biden approved a year-long extension for Harris in a previously undisclosed order -- which Trump has now terminated, a senior White House official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Democrats rallied behind Harris over the move, especially in California where she previously served as a senator. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said it was "another act of revenge following a long list of political retaliation" by Trump, according to a statement reported by US media. "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."

Since taking office in January, Trump has taken similar measures against a long list of his perceived enemies and political opponents. Trump has withdrawn protection for former national security advisor John Bolton -- whose house was raided by FBI agents in a classified documents probe last week -- former secretary of state Mike Pompeo and former top US military officer Mark Milley.

In March he pulled government bodyguards from Biden's son Hunter and daughter Ashley. He has also stripped other officials and former officials -- including Biden himself -- of their security clearances to receive sensitive information.

Kamala Harris

While 60-year-old Harris has kept a low profile since losing the election, she is scheduled to go on tour this fall to promote her memoir "107 Days" about her short presidential run. The book, which Harris said she wrote with "candor and reflection", will be published by Simon & Schuster on September 23 in the United States.

The first woman to serve as vice president of the United States, Harris became the Democratic nominee after 82-year-old Biden, withdrew from the race amid concerns about his cognitive health.

The move to withdraw her protection comes even though the Trump administration has repeatedly stressed the need for security for current officials following the assassination attempt that the Republican survived in July 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Biden and his wife Jill get protection for life under federal law as a former president and his spouse, but his adult children were not so lucky. Trump in March said it was "ridiculous" that Hunter Biden had a security detail of up to 18 people.

But after his first term in office from 2017 to 2021, billionaire Trump issued an order giving a six-month extension of Secret Service protection to all four of his adult children and three senior administration officials.

FAQs

Q1. What is age of Kamala Harris?
A1. Kamala Harris is 60-year-old.

Q2. What is Kamala Harris's Secret Service protection?
A2. The Secret Service customarily protects vice presidents for six months after they leave office, a period that ended on July 21 for Harris. But then-president Joe Biden approved a year-long extension for Harris in a previously undisclosed order -- which Trump has now terminated, a senior White House official told AFP on condition of anonymity.