US President Donald Trump announced that he has discontinued Secret Service protection for former President Joe Biden’s son Hunter. Trump also withdrew security protection for Ashley Biden, daughter of the former president and Jill Biden.
On Truth Social, Trump claimed that Hunter Biden’s security detail consisted of up to 18 personnel, describing it as “ridiculous”. He mentioned Hunter Biden’s current holiday in South Africa, referencing his recent suspension of US aid to that nation. Trump wrote, “Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer. There are as many as 18 people on this Detail, which is ridiculous! He is currently vacationing in, of all places, South Africa, where the Human Rights of people has been strenuously questioned. Because of this, South Africa has been taken off our list of Countries receiving Economic and Financial Assistance. Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection. Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents will be taken off the list.”
While federal legislation provides Secret Service protection to former presidents and their spouses, it only covers children under 16, though extensions are commonly granted to adult children.
The Secret Service confirmed awareness of the decision, stating to AFP: “We are aware of the President’s decision to terminate protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden.” “The Secret Service will comply and is actively working with the protective details and the White House to ensure compliance as soon as possible,” they added.
Hunter Biden, long targeted by Republicans, faced increased criticism after his father pardoned his gun and tax crime convictions before leaving office in January. Trump declared the pardons void on Monday, an unprecedented action with questionable legal basis.
Apart from Biden’s children, Trump has also removed security details from former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, former national security advisor John Bolton and Anthony Fauci, who directed the Covid-19 response.
The White House maintains that security protection and clearances are not lifetime entitlements. “The individuals you’re mentioning are quite wealthy, I understand, so they can get their own private security if they wish,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had stated in January.
Trump announcement comes even though after his 2017-2021 term, Trump had authorised six additional months of Secret Service protection for his four adult children and three senior officials. This extension cost taxpayers $1.7 million, according to The Washington Post’s analysis of expenditure records.
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