Trump Moves to End Secret Service Protection for Hunter Biden, Citing Costs

Secret Service Protection Ends for Hunter and Ashley Biden

Hunter Biden and his half-sister, Ashley Biden, will no longer receive Secret Service protection, according to an announcement made by President Donald Trump on Monday. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Trump Criticizes Hunter Biden’s Extended Protection

“Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer,” Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social. “He is currently vacationing in, of all places, South Africa, where the Human Rights of people has been strenuously questioned.” Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Dozens of Secret Service Agents Reassigned

The move will withdraw 18 agents assigned to Hunter Biden and 13 tasked with guarding Ashley Biden, Trump wrote.

According to standard government policy, only former presidents and their spouses receive lifelong Secret Service protection. Immediate family members generally lose their security detail after the president leaves office. It remains unclear why Hunter, 54, and Ashley, 43, retained their protection following Joe Biden’s departure from office earlier this year. The White House has not issued a statement in response to the decision. United States Secret Service / Wikimedia

Security Revocation Amid Political and Legal Controversies

The revocation of security detail comes amid a climate of heightened political tensions in the United States. Hunter Biden, who was convicted last year on gun and tax-related charges, has been a frequent target of criticism from Trump’s allies. President Joe Biden issued a pardon for his son at the end of his term, despite previously pledging not to intervene in Hunter’s legal matters. Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK