In a surprising decision, President Donald Trump has abruptly ended Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, the adult children of President Joe Biden. Trump justified the move by citing the high costs and large security teams assigned to them, making the announcement on March 17 through his social media platform.
Since beginning his second term, Trump has taken swift action to cut down on taxpayer-funded security. Along with Hunter and Ashley Biden, several other prominent figures have also lost their Secret Service details. These include former National Security Advisor John Bolton, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and retired General Mark Milley, all of whom had been under protection due to threats from Iran during Trump’s first administration. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who received security following threats related to his role in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, was also removed from the list.
When questioned about the decision, Trump stood by his stance, asserting that such protections were not meant to last indefinitely. While visiting the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Monday, he was confronted by a reporter regarding Hunter Biden’s Secret Service protection during his recent vacation in South Africa. Trump responded that he had just learned about it and would review the matter that afternoon. Hours later, he made it official on Truth Social, stating that Hunter Biden’s security detail was being revoked immediately.
Trump criticized the size of the security team assigned to Hunter, claiming that as many as 18 agents were involved, which he called excessive. He also noted that Ashley Biden, who had 13 agents, would no longer receive protection either.
Trump’s decision comes at a time of continued tension between him and the Biden family. Although the 2024 election is over, he frequently criticizes his predecessor. Under federal law, children of former presidents lose Secret Service protection at age 16, but both Biden and Trump had extended their children’s security details for six months beyond their presidencies. Trump’s latest action officially ends those extensions.
Another factor in Trump’s decision appears to be Hunter Biden’s recent trip to South Africa, a country Trump has previously condemned for human rights concerns and land policies.
This development follows President Joe Biden’s controversial decision to issue a broad pardon for his son, Hunter, covering all federal offenses from 2014 to 2024. The move erased Hunter’s convictions related to tax evasion and illegal gun possession. Biden defended his decision, arguing that his son was unfairly targeted due to his political connections and stating, “Enough is enough.”
Before leaving office, Biden also issued preemptive pardons for several individuals, including Dr. Fauci, General Mark Milley, and members of the congressional committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol riot. He justified these pardons by claiming that those involved faced potential political persecution.
In response, Trump has declared that some of Biden’s final pardons are “void and without effect.” He specifically challenged pardons granted to members of the January 6 committee, alleging that they were improperly authorized using an autopen—a device that replicates signatures. Trump accused the committee of destroying key evidence and warned that its members could now be subject to high-level investigations.
As Trump continues to assert control over government operations, his latest actions reflect a broader effort to dismantle the policies and protections put in place by his predecessor.
