Trump Withdraws Secret Service Protection for Biden's Children
In a controversial move, President Donald Trump has revoked Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, the children of former President Joe Biden. This decision follows Trump's recent entry into the White House, during which he has been reassessing security details for individuals previously under the agency's care.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce that Hunter Biden, who has been receiving protection funded by U.S. taxpayers, would no longer have such security starting immediately. Similarly, his sister Ashley Biden will also lose her Secret Service protection. The Secret Service is responsible for safeguarding current and former high-ranking officials and their families, but the provision of such protection for adult children is not guaranteed.
During a recent event at the Kennedy Center, Trump expressed surprise upon learning that Hunter Biden was vacationing in South Africa accompanied by Secret Service agents. He indicated that he would investigate the matter further and criticized the continuation of security support for the Bidens.
Reports indicate that 18 agents were assigned to protect Hunter Biden while 13 were dedicated to Ashley Biden's security. Prior to leaving office, Joe Biden had arranged for his children's protection to continue until the summer, a privilege that is standard for former presidents and their spouses, but applies only to children until they reach the age of 16.
Trump had previously revoked Secret Service details for other individuals, including his former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ex-advisor John Bolton, as part of his broader strategy to reassess security measures for those no longer in office. This recent decision has sparked discussions about the implications of security provisions for the families of former presidents, particularly regarding the level of protection extended to adult children.
The Biden family has expressed their concerns about privacy and security, particularly in light of the heightened scrutiny and political tension surrounding their family. The withdrawal of protection raises questions about the safety of public figures and their families in a politically charged environment.
As the situation develops, many will be observing how this decision affects the Biden family and the precedent it sets for future administrations regarding the security of former presidents' children.