By Blessing Nweke
Former President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is ending Secret Service protection for President Joe Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection,” and added that Ashley Biden “will be taken off the list.”
A Secret Service official confirmed the decision, saying, “The Secret Service will comply and is actively working with the protective details and the White House to ensure compliance as soon as possible.”
While both Biden family members were eligible for protection, Hunter, 55, and Ashley, 43, are outside the age limit for continuous security under federal law. Secret Service protection for children of former presidents is typically provided until the age of 16, although adult children can receive security for a period determined by the sitting president.
In comments to reporters earlier in the day, Trump suggested that he would review the matter further, following Biden’s recent trip to South Africa. He previously removed Secret Service protection for figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, citing that individuals serving in government would eventually lose security once their tenure ended.
Joe Biden had previously extended protection to his adult children until July before leaving office, while Trump’s family also received six months of protection after Biden’s inauguration. The latest move signals a continued exercise of executive discretion regarding the security of former presidents’ families.
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