President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is revoking Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, former President Joe Biden’s children.
The Context
Trump’s decision came after a reporter asked him earlier Monday about an unverified claim that Hunter Biden recently traveled to South Africa while accompanied by 18 Secret Service agents. The New York Post reported on that claim, citing the far-right activist Laura Loomer as its source.
What To Know
“Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer,” Trump wrote on his social media website, Truth Social. “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.”
The president added: “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.”
Secret Service protection for a president’s adult family members generally ends when that president leaves office, while former leaders and their spouses get lifetime protection.
But before he left office in January, Joe Biden signed an executive order extending Secret Service protection for his adult children through July.
Shortly before Trump left office in January 2021, he did the same and extended Secret Service protection for his adult children—Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany—and two of their spouses for six months after he exited the White House.
A reporter brought up Hunter Biden’s Secret Service protection on Monday afternoon while Trump was visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
“Sir, there were 18 Secret Service agents protecting Hunter Biden in South Africa this weekend,” the reporter, who was off camera and did not identify themselves, asked. They went on to ask “who’s paying for that” and if Trump would revoke the former first son’s protection.
“Well, we have done that with many,” Trump said, referring to his administration’s decision to revoke the Secret Service details of current and former politicians and intelligence officials who have been critical of Trump. “I would say if there are 18 with Hunter Biden, that will be something I’ll look at this afternoon. OK? I just heard about it for the first time. So you have 18 Secret Service going—where is he, exactly?”
“In South Africa,” the reporter said.
“South Africa, you know is on a watch list … because what they’re doing to people is brutal,” Trump said. “And I’ve stopped having money go to South Africa. You know that. Billions of dollars. So he’s in South Africa. That’s very interesting. All right. I’m going to take a look at that. Thank you very much.”
Trump has repeatedly amplified claims that South Africa mistreats white farmers, is anti-white and anti-American. He issued an executive order last month cutting off U.S. funding to South Africa. His administration last week also expelled South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. based on an article from the right-wing Breitbart website.
South Africa’s government has pushed back on the allegations and said they’re based on misinformation.
Hunter Biden, meanwhile, is a frequent target for Republicans who allege that he profited off his father’s presidency. Before leaving office, the elder Biden pardoned his son, reneging on his earlier pledge that he would not do so.
What People Are Saying
Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, said in a statement: The agency is “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.”
What Happens Next
The Secret Service has begun the process of withdrawing its protective details for Hunter and Ashley Biden.
Update: 3/17/25, 7:54 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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