Trump revoked the protections for former President Joe Biden’s adult children, citing cost to taxpayers.
President Donald Trump has ordered the termination of Secret Service protections for former President Joe Biden’s two adult children—Ashley Biden and Hunter Biden—citing the large size of their security details and the associated cost to taxpayers.
The move, announced on March 17 in a post on social media, is the latest in a series of terminations ordered by Trump for individuals whose Secret Service protections the president has deemed unnecessary or excessive. Others affected by similar decisions include former national security adviser John Bolton and former White House COVID-19 adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer,” Trump wrote in the post. “There are as many as 18 people on this Detail, which is ridiculous!”
Under federal law, former presidents and their spouses receive lifetime Secret Service protection, while their children over the age of 16 lose this security upon the president’s departure from office. However, both Trump and Biden opted to extend their children’s protections for an additional six months beyond their administrations.
In his announcement, Trump also noted that Hunter Biden was vacationing in South Africa, a country that the president criticized for alleged human rights violations.
“Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection. Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents will be taken off the list,” Trump wrote.
Citing concerns over government-sanctioned land confiscations from farmers in South Africa, Trump previously announced that all U.S. federal funding to the country would be halted. He also stated that farmers fleeing South Africa would be offered refuge in the United States.
Shortly before leaving office, Joe Biden issued a full and unconditional presidential pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, citing what he described as selective and politically motivated prosecution.
By Tom Ozimek
