Trump ends Secret Service protection for Biden’s children amid luxury trip controversy

WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he was “immediately” ending the Secret Service protection details assigned to former President Joe Biden’s adult children.

Biden had originally extended the protection details in July shortly before leaving office in January.

Hunter Biden went to South Africa last week for a luxury vacation with Secret Service protection.

Trump took to social media, where he said 18 agents were assigned to Hunter Biden’s protective detail while on vacation. He said Ashley Biden has 13 agents assigned to her detail and that she too “will be taken off the list.”

Former presidents and their spouses receive life-long Secret Service protection under federal law, but the protection afforded to their immediate families over the age of 16 ends when they leave office.

Outgoing presidents can extend protection for those who might otherwise not be eligible for up to six months after they leave office, something Biden did for his children and Trump did for his family after leaving office in 2021. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush also extended protection for their families for a period.

“We are aware of the President’s decision to terminate protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden,” the agency said in a statement. “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 touring the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Monday afternoon, a reporter asked Trump if he would revoke the protection for the former president’s son.

“Well, we have done that with many. I would say if there are 18 with Hunter Biden, that will be something I’ll look at this afternoon,” Trump said, who added this was the first time he heard about the matter.

“I’m going to take a look at that,” he said.

Editor’s Note:The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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