The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) recently ceased protecting former Vice President Kamala Harris just days after President Donald Trump withdrew her Secret Service protections.
There was quite a stir from the media and Democrats regarding the termination of these protections, but it’s important to note that the Vice President didn’t have an absolute right to them, as previous Vice Presidents typically lost such protections about six months after their term began.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has directed California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers to step in, providing security for Harris while also partnering with LAPD. Reports from the Los Angeles Times noted on Thursday:
Members of the LAPD’s metropolitan division are now assigned to areas of high crime in the city but are temporarily focused on securing former Vice President Harris, according to a source.
“We’ve been working hard to get things organized,” stated Jennifer Falksh, Communications Director for Louisiana State Police. “This collaborative approach is designed to ensure that security measures continue without interruption.”
After President Trump canceled her Secret Service protections last Monday, he started taking steps to guarantee Harris’s safety. Sources familiar with the situation mentioned that the city would provide funding for the security, but this arrangement is expected to be brief since Harris plans to hire her own security soon.
By Saturday, LAPD formally concluded its involvement, as reported by the Los Angeles Times:
On Saturday, the LAPD ended its protections for former Vice President Kamala Harris, responding to sharp criticism from within the department about officers being diverted away from addressing crime, sources disclosed to the Times.
LAPD Metropolitan Division personnel were observed outside Harris’s Brentwood residence on Saturday morning, assisting the California Highway Patrol with her security.
Following the withdrawal of Secret Service protections by President Trump last week, California law enforcement was quick to act this week to ensure Harris’s safety. Notably, President Biden had extended Harris’s protections beyond the usual six-month period following a Vice President’s term.
Harris has declined to run for governor in 2026. Her political trajectory remains somewhat unclear as she considers another presidential campaign in 2028.
