Hunter and Ashley Biden in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 2023. AP Photo
Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is immediately ending Secret Service protection for Joe Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden. The former president made the decision public through a post on his Truth Social account.
Trump stated that the protection had been in place for a long time and was funded by American taxpayers. “Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States taxpayer,” Trump wrote. He added, “Effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection. Likewise, Ashley Biden, who has 13 agents, will be taken off the list.”
The announcement came after a reporter asked Trump about the security detail during his visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. When questioned about Hunter Biden’s protection, Trump said he was unaware of the situation but promised to review it right away. “If there are 18 agents assigned to Hunter Biden, I will look into that this afternoon,” Trump replied.
In the US, former presidents and their spouses are guaranteed lifelong Secret Service protection by law. However, the security for their children, if they are over 16, ends once the president leaves office. Despite this rule, both Trump and Biden had extended Secret Service coverage for their children for six months after stepping down.
This is not the first time Trump has revoked security details. Shortly after starting his second term, he removed Secret Service protection for Mike Pompeo, his former Secretary of State; Brian Hook, a former senior adviser; and John Bolton, his former National Security Adviser. This decision came despite the Biden administration warning that these individuals still faced threats from Iran due to their roles during Trump’s previous presidency.
US intelligence agencies believed Pompeo, Hook, and Bolton were at risk of retaliation from Iran for their involvement in Trump’s policies, particularly in the Middle East. The Biden administration had granted them protection due to ongoing threats, but Trump canceled their security details within 72 hours of returning to office.
Under US security protocol, only former presidents and their spouses are guaranteed lifelong protection. Other high-ranking officials can only receive protection if they are considered under significant threat, as determined by US intelligence agencies.
Trump’s latest move has drawn criticism, with some seeing it as a politically motivated action against Biden’s family. However, Trump insists that the decision is about reducing unnecessary taxpayer spending.
