- President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, citing taxpayer costs and questioning the necessity of their security details.
- Trump claimed 18 agents were assigned to Hunter Biden (vacationing in South Africa) and 13 to Ashley Biden, calling the arrangement "ridiculous" and unwarranted.
- While federal law grants lifelong protection to former presidents and their spouses, adult children are only covered for up to six months post-presidency unless extended. Both Joe Biden and Trump had previously extended protection for their families.
- The decision comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Hunter Biden's legal troubles, including a 2024 conviction for tax offenses and firearm-related charges, as well as Joe Biden's controversial pardon of his son.
- Critics view the move as politically motivated, while supporters argue it reduces unnecessary spending. The decision is expected to deepen partisan divisions.
President Donald Trump announced on Monday, March 17, the immediate termination of Secret Service protection for former President Joe Biden's son Hunter and daughter Ashley.
The decision, communicated via a post on Trump's Truth Social platform, cited the cost to taxpayers and questioned the necessity of providing security details to the Biden siblings. Trump criticized the allocation of resources, claiming that 18 agents were assigned to protect Hunter – who is currently vacationing in South Africa – and 13 agents were tasked with safeguarding Ashley. Such an arrangement, according to the president, was "ridiculous" and that protections for the two were unwarranted.
"Effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection," Trump wrote on Monday. "Likewise, Ashley Biden – who has 13 agents – will be taken off the list."
The Secret Service confirmed it would comply with the decision. Anthony Guglielmi, the agency's chief of communications, stated that the agency is "actively working with the protective details and the White House to ensure compliance as soon as possible."
Under federal law, former presidents and their spouses are entitled to lifelong Secret Service protection, but this privilege does not automatically extend to their children. However, outgoing presidents have the authority to extend protection for their families for up to six months after leaving office.
Joe Biden exercised option extending protection for his children
Joe had exercised this option, extending protection for Hunter and Ashley through July. Trump had similarly extended protection for his own children – Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump – for six months after leaving office in 2021.
The practice is not unprecedented. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush also extended protection for their families after their terms ended.
The decision to revoke the Bidens' protection comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Hunter's legal troubles. In 2024, Hunter was convicted of tax offenses and falsifying information about his drug addiction on a firearm purchase form. (Related: Hunter Biden PLEADS GUILTY to all nine federal tax charges, avoids trial – but will no doubt be pardoned by his father.)
Republicans, including Trump, have accused him of influence peddling and corruption, allegations that both Hunter and his father have denied.
In December, Joe issued a controversial pardon for his son, citing concerns that the prosecution was politically motivated. The move drew criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats, with Trump labeling it "an abuse and miscarriage of justice."
Trump's latest action has sparked debate over the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded resources for protecting the families of former presidents. Critics argue that the decision appears politically motivated, given Trump's history of targeting the Bidens. Supporters, however, contend that the move aligns with efforts to reduce unnecessary government spending.
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Watch Jesse Watters of Fox News commenting how the Secret Service went off the rails during hearings on President Trump's assassination attempt.
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