California taxpayers have been paying for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ security detail as she travels out of state and, in some cases, out of the country to promote her book. Multiple sources who were unauthorized to speak publicly about security matters told KCRA 3 that dozens of California Highway Patrol officers have been traveling with her for all of the former vice president’s book tour appearances. State officials will not say exactly how many officers are assigned to her, how long the arrangement will last and how much taxpayer money is being used.As of Tuesday night, Harris’ spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment or to questions about who is paying for the officers’ travel and whether Harris is reimbursing the state for any of the expenses. Harris and the state officers have been traveling across the country since September to promote her book, “107 Days.” The memoir is about her brief campaign for president after Joe Biden dropped out of the race against Donald Trump in 2024. The book tour stops have also included London and Ontario, according to the book’s website. The officers are expected to be with her for the entirety of the tour, sources said. Starting Tuesday, the book tour will make a series of stops in California over the next month, including a stop in Sacramento on April 4. The tour continues in South Carolina and North Carolina. The final stop is scheduled for April 17 in Savannah, Georgia.Former vice presidents typically get federal government protection for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents have it for life. Before he left office, President Joe Biden quietly signed an order to extend Harris’ protection to July 2026. The Associated Press reported the extension came at Harris’ request. The Trump administration then canceled the extension. A source close to the situation said the Trump administration agreed to give her three additional months beyond what the law provides before ending her federal protection in September 2025. A threat intelligence assessment by the Secret Service at the time found no evidence of a threat to Harris. That’s when California stepped in, multiple sources said, with concerns there are continued credible threats against her. When reached for comment, a spokesman for the White House referred KCRA 3 to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office and the California Highway Patrol for comment and an update on Harris’ threat assessments. A spokesperson for the governor’s office said the office does not comment on state security arrangements. “We’re living in an unstable environment right now and it’s really hard to predict circumstances and people’s behavior and so she deserves that kind of protection,” said Republican Assemblyman and retired California Highway Patrol officer Tom Lackey. In an interview with KCRA 3, Lackey noted Harris is California’s former attorney general and state law requires the officers to protect her if there are credible threats.But do taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being used? California has been grappling with years of budget shortfalls and now faces another year in which the state is expected to be strapped for cash. Lackey, who serves as the vice chairman of the Assembly’s budget committee focused on public safety, could not put a dollar amount on how much Harris’ security detail is likely costing taxpayers. “All I know is it’s a lot, it is a significant amount of money,” Lackey said. “Where the slippery slope starts to show up is the personal gain aspect. Should they be provided at the taxpayer’s expense? That’s a great question that deserves discussion.” Adjunct McGeorge School of Law Professor and longtime lobbyist Chris Micheli said, historically former California constitutional officers, including governors, have not been given protection once they’re out of office. He said in Harris’ case, it’s the right thing for the state to do.“How many people are part of the detail and other information that might provide how she’s being protected I don’t think is appropriate for the public domain,” Micheli said. “But the overall cost, because those are state taxpayer dollars, the public is entitled to know.” See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channelKCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
California taxpayers have been paying for former Vice President Kamala Harris’ security detail as she travels out of state and, in some cases, out of the country to promote her book.
Multiple sources who were unauthorized to speak publicly about security matters told KCRA 3 that dozens of California Highway Patrol officers have been traveling with her for all of the former vice president’s book tour appearances. State officials will not say exactly how many officers are assigned to her, how long the arrangement will last and how much taxpayer money is being used.
As of Tuesday night, Harris’ spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment or to questions about who is paying for the officers’ travel and whether Harris is reimbursing the state for any of the expenses.
Harris and the state officers have been traveling across the country since September to promote her book, “107 Days.” The memoir is about her brief campaign for president after Joe Biden dropped out of the race against Donald Trump in 2024. The book tour stops have also included London and Ontario, according to the book’s website.
The officers are expected to be with her for the entirety of the tour, sources said.
Starting Tuesday, the book tour will make a series of stops in California over the next month, including a stop in Sacramento on April 4. The tour continues in South Carolina and North Carolina. The final stop is scheduled for April 17 in Savannah, Georgia.
Former vice presidents typically get federal government protection for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents have it for life. Before he left office, President Joe Biden quietly signed an order to extend Harris’ protection to July 2026. The Associated Press reported the extension came at Harris’ request. The Trump administration then canceled the extension.
A source close to the situation said the Trump administration agreed to give her three additional months beyond what the law provides before ending her federal protection in September 2025. A threat intelligence assessment by the Secret Service at the time found no evidence of a threat to Harris.
That’s when California stepped in, multiple sources said, with concerns there are continued credible threats against her.
When reached for comment, a spokesman for the White House referred KCRA 3 to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office and the California Highway Patrol for comment and an update on Harris’ threat assessments.
A spokesperson for the governor’s office said the office does not comment on state security arrangements.
“We’re living in an unstable environment right now and it’s really hard to predict circumstances and people’s behavior and so she deserves that kind of protection,” said Republican Assemblyman and retired California Highway Patrol officer Tom Lackey.
In an interview with KCRA 3, Lackey noted Harris is California’s former attorney general and state law requires the officers to protect her if there are credible threats.
But do taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being used? California has been grappling with years of budget shortfalls and now faces another year in which the state is expected to be strapped for cash.
Lackey, who serves as the vice chairman of the Assembly’s budget committee focused on public safety, could not put a dollar amount on how much Harris’ security detail is likely costing taxpayers.
“All I know is it’s a lot, it is a significant amount of money,” Lackey said. “Where the slippery slope starts to show up is the personal gain aspect. Should they be provided at the taxpayer’s expense? That’s a great question that deserves discussion.”
Adjunct McGeorge School of Law Professor and longtime lobbyist Chris Micheli said, historically former California constitutional officers, including governors, have not been given protection once they’re out of office.
He said in Harris’ case, it’s the right thing for the state to do.
“How many people are part of the detail and other information that might provide how she’s being protected I don’t think is appropriate for the public domain,” Micheli said. “But the overall cost, because those are state taxpayer dollars, the public is entitled to know.”
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.