On Monday, former President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of Secret Service protection for Joe Biden's adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden. This decision comes after Trump had previously extended their protection until July, just before leaving office in January.
In a candid social media post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the number of agents assigned to Hunter Biden's security detail. He highlighted that there were as many as 18 agents overseeing Hunter's security during his visit to South Africa, where his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, hails from.
“Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States taxpayer,” Trump wrote. He criticized the decision to provide such extensive protection, particularly given the ongoing concerns over human rights in South Africa. “Because of this, South Africa has been taken off our list of countries receiving economic and financial assistance,” he added, stating that effective immediately, Hunter Biden would no longer receive Secret Service protection.
In addition to Hunter, Trump mentioned that Ashley Biden, who he claimed had 13 agents assigned to her, would also be “taken off the list.” This move raises questions about the future of Secret Service provisions for adult children of former presidents, as typically, such protection ends with the presidency. However, outgoing presidents can extend this protection for up to six months, a discretion exercised by both Biden and Trump, following the precedents set by former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from the Biden family regarding Trump’s decision to terminate protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden. The Secret Service has acknowledged the situation, stating, “We are aware of the President's decision to terminate protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden.” They assured that they would comply with the decision and are actively coordinating with the protective details and the White House to ensure a smooth transition.
While visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday afternoon, Trump was asked by a reporter if he would consider revoking protection for the former president's son. Trump responded, “Well, we have done that with many. I would say if there are 18 with Hunter Biden, that will be something I'll look at this afternoon.” He emphasized that this was the first time he had heard about the matter and indicated that he would review it further.
The termination of Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden marks a significant shift in the security arrangements for the Biden family, raising discussions about the implications of such actions in the context of U.S. political norms and security practices.
