On Monday, former President Donald Trump announced that he is withdrawing Secret Service protection for Joe Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden. His decision comes after he criticized the number of agents assigned to Hunter’s protection detail, particularly during his recent trip to South Africa.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his concerns. He mentioned that Hunter has had extensive Secret Service protection funded by taxpayers and questioned the need for up to 18 agents assigned to him while on vacation. He pointed out that South Africa has faced scrutiny over human rights issues, a factor he believes makes the situation even more unreasonable.
Trump also indicated that Ashley Biden, who reportedly had 13 agents assigned to her, would lose her protection as well. Under U.S. law, former presidents and their spouses enjoy lifetime Secret Service protection, but this typically doesn’t extend to adult children after the presidency ends. Outgoing presidents do have the option to extend this protection for six months, which both Trump and Biden chose to do for their families, following similar actions taken by past presidents like Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
The Secret Service confirmed the decision and stated they would begin working on compliance. However, the Biden family has yet to publicly respond to this announcement.
This strategic withdrawal reflects ongoing tensions in U.S. politics. It’s an unprecedented move that raises questions about security and political norms, given the increasing scrutiny and threats faced by public figures today. Recent surveys indicate that concerns over safety among political families are at an all-time high, further complicating the implications of Trump’s decision.
For more on current security measures for political figures, you can visit the U.S. Secret Service site.
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