President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is immediately ending Secret Service protection for Joe Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden. The decision comes after Trump criticized the size of their security details, claiming that 18 agents were assigned to Hunter Biden during his trip to South Africa and 13 to Ashley Biden.
The protection for the children of former presidents typically ends when they leave office, but both Trump and Biden had extended these details for six months as a transitional measure. Trump’s move to revoke the protection marks a significant shift and has sparked debate over the appropriate level of security for the families of former presidents.
Trump, who made the announcement during a visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, stated that he would review the matter after learning about the size of the security details. “If there are 18 with Hunter Biden, that will be something I’ll look at this afternoon,” he said.
The decision has drawn attention to the broader issue of Secret Service protection for the families of former presidents, which is not mandated by law but has been extended as a courtesy in recent administrations. Critics argue that the move could set a precedent for politicizing security arrangements, while supporters view it as a cost-saving measure.
There has been no immediate response from Joe Biden’s office regarding the decision. The move underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the Biden family, as well as the broader political divisions in the U.S.
For more political updates, visit DC Brief.
