When you hear that a former vice president lost their Secret Service protection, you probably wonder how the rules actually work. How long do they really get it, and who decides whether it continues? That question came up again after President Donald Trump revoked the extended Secret Service protection that Kamala Harris had been receiving after leaving office.
How long do former vice presidents get secret service protection?
By law, former vice presidents get six months of Secret Service protection once they leave office. Congress passed legislation in 2008 setting that standard. This protection also extends to their spouses and children under the age of 16 during that same period.
Once the six months are up, the protection normally ends. If more time is needed, it requires either the sitting president to extend it or Congress to approve a change.
Why was Kamala Harris’ protection extended?
What happened with Kamala Harris was a little different from the usual pattern. When she left office earlier this year, President Joe Biden signed a memorandum extending her protection to 18 months.
This kind of extension is not typical. A senior official told NBC News, “The extension for Harris was not typical.” Biden made that decision because of heightened threats against Harris after leaving office.
Other former vice presidents in the past, like Dick Cheney, also had their protection extended beyond six months when safety concerns were considered serious enough.
Trump revokes Harris’ extended protection
On Friday, Trump revoked the extra Secret Service protection that Harris had been receiving. A senior adviser to Harris told NBC News, “The Vice President is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety.”
A senior White House official confirmed the decision, explaining that the Secret Service will officially end Harris’ protection on September 1.
Her detail will not be left idle. Instead, the group will be reassigned to New York, where preparations are already underway for the United Nations General Assembly.
What about other former vice presidents?
You might be wondering whether Harris’ situation is unusual. For the most part, former vice presidents only get the standard six months.
- Mike Pence received six months after his term ended.
- Dick Cheney received extra time due to threats, which President Barack Obama approved.
- Al Gore and Dan Quayle received protection for 180 days, according to former Secret Service director Mark Sullivan.
In other words, extensions do happen, but they are rare and depend on the president in office.
How does this compare to former presidents?
The rules are different for presidents. Federal law requires that former presidents and their spouses receive Secret Service protection for life unless they decline it. Their children get protection until they turn 16.
This means that while Harris’ protection has ended, Biden will continue to receive theirs for the rest of their lives.
Why does this matter for public safety?
You may be asking yourself why all this is important. The truth is, threats against public officials have risen in recent years. Harris, like many others in high office, faced an increased number of threats while serving.
Having clear rules for who gets protection, and for how long, helps balance two things: the safety of former leaders and the resources of the Secret Service. Once protection ends, former officials often rely on private security or state and local law enforcement for help if needed.
What happens next for Kamala Harris?
Harris has said she is stepping back from elected office for now. In July, she announced she would not be running for governor of California and has not revealed whether she will make another presidential run in 2028.
For the moment, she is preparing for her upcoming 15-city book tour to promote her memoir “107 Days.” Without Secret Service protection, Harris will now need to handle her own security arrangements moving forward.
