Trump’s Removal of Kamala Security Ahead of Her Nationwide Book Tour Is a Dangerous and Vindictive Political Power Play: No Former Vice President in Modern History Has Been Treated This Way

In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through Washington, Donald Trump has stripped Vice President Kamala Harris of her Secret Service protection. The decision has been slammed by Democrats and security experts alike, who warn that it represents not just a reckless gamble with Harris’s safety, but also a chilling precedent in American politics.

A Reckless and Personal Attack

Never before in modern history has a former vice president been denied the security detail that traditionally comes with the office. From Dan Quayle to Al Gore, Dick Cheney, and Joe Biden himself, former VPs have retained a level of protection in recognition of both their service and their continued role as national figures.

Kamala Harris’s removal, however, signals something different—a vindictive strike from Trump against one of his fiercest political rivals. With Harris expected to remain a central figure in Democratic politics, the timing is as dangerous as it is political.

The Stakes Are High

This is not a minor procedural change. Harris is one of the most visible women in politics, a historic trailblazer as the first female and first Black and Asian American vice president. She frequently appears at high-profile public events, rallies, and speaking engagements—settings where security risks are magnified.

To withdraw her protection in this climate, where political violence and threats against women leaders are rising, is to deliberately endanger her. As one Democratic strategist noted, “It’s a message: if you stand against Trump, you’ll pay the price.”

A Pattern of Vindictiveness

Trump has long been accused of using power not to serve the public but to punish his critics and elevate his loyalists. This latest move is a textbook example. By denying Harris the same protections afforded to every other modern vice president, he is breaking precedent not out of necessity but out of spite.

It’s a power play rooted in personal grievance, not policy—a dangerous reminder of how far Trump is willing to go to bend institutions to his will.

The Democratic Outcry

Democrats wasted no time in blasting the decision. Lawmakers have called on Congress to review the move, citing the clear risks to Harris’s safety. Civil rights leaders have also weighed in, arguing that the removal of her protection is not only discriminatory but emblematic of Trump’s broader disregard for norms and institutions.

Progressive activists have framed the issue in stark terms: if Trump can strip a vice president of protection, what other safeguards could he dismantle to target his political opponents?

Why This Moment Matters

The removal of Kamala Harris’s security is not just about one leader—it’s about the future of American democracy. It raises urgent questions about how political power is wielded, and whether leaders are safe from retaliation simply for doing their jobs.

This decision doesn’t just put Harris at risk. It puts a dangerous precedent on the table—that in America, protections are no longer about safety or service, but about whether you are in the good graces of whoever holds the reins of power.