U.S. vice presidents do not get Secret Service protection for life as presidents do, but rather for a limited period after leaving office. This long-standing practice has recently come under public scrutiny due to notable changes and decisions by current and former administrations.
The latest high-profile development regards former Vice President Kamala Harris. On August 29, 2025, it was confirmed that President Donald Trump revoked Secret Service protection for Harris, effective September 1, ending an extended protection period granted by then-President Joe Biden past the statutory six months after she left office in January 2025. Harris’s extended protection had lasted about 18 months, notably longer than the usual six months allowed by the 2008 law governing former vice presidents’ security. This revocation coincides with Harris’s national and international book tour starting late September to promote her memoir “107 Days,” marking her prominent public reappearance after the 2024 presidential campaign.
Protection Basics for Vice Presidents
Under U.S. law, established by the Secret Service Act and amended over the years, the Secret Service primarily protects sitting presidents, vice presidents, their immediate families, and visiting foreign dignitaries. Vice presidents receive protection during their term and remain covered for up to six months after leaving office. This protection period includes their spouses and dependent children. After six months, the law does not guarantee further protection unless explicitly extended by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) if high-risk conditions justify it.
Why Not Lifetime Protection?
Unlike presidents, whose protection was made permanent by law in 2013 (restoring lifetime security after previously limited terms), vice presidents are not entitled to lifelong Secret Service details. The rationale appears to balance protection costs against perceived ongoing threats to former officials. However, extensions can and have been granted in cases of credible threats or extraordinary circumstances. For example, former Vice President Mike Pence and Kamala Harris both received extended protection post-tenure, reflecting heightened security concerns tied to the politically turbulent events of recent years, including the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Recent Developments and Controversies
The Trump administration’s decision to revoke Harris’s extended detail has sparked debate across political and public spheres. Critics argue that former vice presidents, especially high-profile and potentially high-risk figures like Harris, should receive stronger and longer-lasting protection. Supporters of the revocation stress adherence to statute and highlight that former presidents retain lifetime coverage while vice presidents do not, maintaining a clear legal distinction. Various Democrats, including Senator Adam Schiff, have described the revocation as politically motivated retribution by Trump.
In light of the revocation, alternative protective arrangements, such as California Highway Patrol security for Harris, have been reported, underscoring ongoing safety concerns beyond federal protection.
Summary Table of Protection Status
| Official Type | Protection During Office | Post-Office Protection Period | Extension Possibility | Recent Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | Lifetime | Lifetime (and spouses) | N/A | Lifetime protection restored 2013 |
| Vice President | During term | 6 months after leaving office by law | Possible extension by DHS | Harris (extended 18 months), Pence (6 months) |
| Former Vice President | None after statutory period | Protection ends unless extended by DHS | Possible, but no lifetime coverage | Harris’s protection revoked 2025 |
Looking Forward
The protection status of former vice presidents remains a complex topic entwined with national security concerns and political dynamics. Although current law restricts automatic lifetime Secret Service protection for vice presidents after leaving office, recent years have demonstrated that extensions are possible when justified by security risks. Whether Congress might reconsider expanding lifetime protection to former vice presidents to reflect evolving threats and political climates remains an open question worth watching.
The latest developments around the revocation of Kamala Harris’s Secret Service protection highlight this ongoing balancing act between legal frameworks, security needs, and political factors.
Read also-Do vice presidents get Secret Service for life?
Readers are invited to share their thoughts and stay updated on future shifts in Secret Service policies affecting vice presidents and other national leaders.