California Highway Patrol to Secure Kamala Harris Post-Secret Service
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will transition from Secret Service protection to security provided by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) following an executive memorandum issued by former President Donald Trump. The move takes effect on September 1, 2025, as Harris prepares for a new chapter in her public life, including a book tour for her upcoming memoir, titled “107 Days.”
The memorandum authorized the discontinuation of security measures previously in place for Harris, which were scheduled to end on July 20, 2026. Typically, Secret Service protection for a former vice president lasts six months after leaving office, but the Biden administration extended this period to 18 months. The decision to shift to state-level protection has sparked discussions about the associated costs and logistics.
Reports indicate that the CHP will assume security responsibilities for Harris if California Governor Gavin Newsom approves the arrangement with the agency. While the governor’s office has not commented on specific security details, sources suggest that a state police security detail will be established for her protection.
Understanding the Cost of Security
Determining the financial implications of CHP’s involvement remains challenging. The CHP has historically refrained from disclosing precise costs associated with specific protection details, citing security concerns as the primary reason for this lack of transparency. However, the agency operates with a substantial budget, with the overall CHP budget approaching $3.2 billion.
The last recorded budget for the CHP’s Protective Services Division was $43 million in 2009, and it is expected to have increased since then. This division is responsible for the security of the governor, other state leaders, and visiting dignitaries.
In a hypothetical scenario, a protection detail for Harris could consist of two officers on duty at all times, likely including a driver and a close protection officer. With three shifts each day, this could result in a daily total of six officers, alongside supervisors and intelligence support. Estimates suggest the total number of personnel involved could range from 35 to 40 officers.
The average annual salary for a CHP officer is between $150,000 and $170,000, excluding overtime. This means that base personnel costs for such a detail could reach as high as $8 million annually. It remains unclear whether the CHP will assign new officers for Harris’s security or reassign existing personnel already on payroll.
Additionally, it is uncertain if the CHP will provide protection for Harris during her book tour, which could further increase costs. In a related context, during the 2016 presidential election, the cost for federal security for presidential candidates was reported to be approximately $38,000 per day.
As Harris steps into this new phase of her post-vice presidency, the transition to state-level security underscores the complexities involved in ensuring the safety of public figures. While the financial details remain uncertain, the CHP’s protective services division stands ready to provide necessary security as she embarks on her forthcoming engagements.
