President Trump said Monday he’s ending U.S. Secret Service protection for former President Biden’s adult children, Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, “effective immediately.”
The big picture: Although Biden extended protection for his family members until July before leaving office, the Secret Service said it comply with Trump’s decision to terminate protection.
Driving the news: Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in an emailed statement Monday evening the agency is aware of Trump’s decision to terminate protection for Biden’s children.
- “The Secret Service will comply and is actively working with the protective details and the White House to ensure compliance as soon as possible,” he said.
Driving the news: “Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday.
- The president said Hunter Biden has “as many as 18 people” assigned to his protection while he’s on vacation in South Africa.
- “Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents will be taken off the list,” he added.
- Representatives for Hunter Biden did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment Monday evening.
Zoom out: Under federal law, presidents and their spouses receive Secret Service protection for life.
- Their immediate family members over the age of 16 lose those protections once a president has left office office.
- As Biden did in January, Trump also extended protections for his children for six months after his first term.
Go deeper: Trump names new Secret Service head after two attempts on president’s life
