Newsom Could Get CHP Personal Security Detail After He Leaves Office: Reports

SACRAMENTO, CA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom may be one of many current and former state officials who could receive personal security detail provided by the California Highway Patrol after he officially leaves office in January if a spending bill passes the legislature.

The state legislature is expected on Tuesday to consider a line item in the bill that would carve out $20 million in transportation funds for state officials who request security comprised of CHP officers.

The security detail would be paid from the state's Motor Vehicle Account, which is funded by California drivers' vehicle registration fees.

If passed, Newsom could follow the footsteps of former Vice President Kamala Harris who received personal security from CHP officers last year during an international tour when she promoted her memoir "107 Days." Harris received the detail last year after President Donald Trump revoked protection provided to the former Vice President by the U.S. Secret Service.

According to KCRA 3, the line item in a 300-page spending bill was filed Saturday. It extends security coverage to state officials and their family members depending on a threat assessment.

Though Gov. Newsom may potentially be eligible to receive security detail under the bill, it's unknown if the outgoing governor has plans to request that service. Newsom is speculated to run for president in 2028.

Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for the California governor's office, responded to Patch with a statement on Tuesday, which said:

"We unfortunately live in a time when threats and political violence against public officials are very real and on the rise. Protecting current and former officials facing credible threats as a result of their public service has long been a bipartisan notion, and these security decisions are based solely on threat assessments by law enforcement.

The federal government has traditionally played an important role in assisting in this kind of protection, but the Trump administration has pulled back security protections in unprecedented ways, forcing states like California to step up.

This funding ensures CHP has the resources necessary to provide protection only when a threat assessment determines it is warranted."

According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, the CHP budget for the 2025-2026 year was $3.33 billion.

Roger Niello, the Republican vice chairman of the budget committee, told KCRA 3 on Monday night that the account that would fund the security detail could be bankrupt in as little as two years and called it "inappropriate."

Niello also pointed out that the state already passed a bill, AB 2655, that allows campaign funds to be used for security purposes.

"(Newsom) has a sizable account for his campaign," Niello told KCRA 3. "As opposed to the people paying their registration fees paying for that."