President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is immediately revoking Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden, and his half-sister Ashley Biden.
The move follows reports that Hunter Biden recently took a lavish vacation to South Africa, despite ongoing legal battles and financial difficulties. Trump, who shared the announcement on Truth Social, criticized the cost of the protection detail, which he claimed included 18 agents for Hunter Biden and 13 for Ashley Biden.
“Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer. There are as many as 18 people on this Detail, which is ridiculous!” Trump posted.
“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.”
Hunter Biden’s South Africa Trip Under Scrutiny
Hunter Biden’s trip to South Africa has drawn sharp criticism, particularly in light of his recent legal and financial troubles. His vacation coincided with a legal victory, as a federal judge appointed by his father dismissed his lawsuit against Garrett Ziegler, a former Trump staffer. Biden had sued Ziegler over a public database created from emails, texts, and images allegedly retrieved from Biden’s abandoned laptop and iPhone.
Ziegler’s legal team had argued that Hunter Biden presented no credible evidence that his data had been manipulated or hacked. They accused Biden of attempting to silence political opponents rather than pursuing legitimate legal grievances. The judge dismissed the case with prejudice, preventing Biden from refiling the lawsuit.
Meanwhile, Biden’s trip to South Africa has fueled speculation that he was attempting to avoid his upcoming deposition in the lawsuit. Ziegler’s attorneys claimed that his vacation was a tactic to delay legal proceedings, further drawing attention to his ongoing controversies.
Trump’s South Africa Policy and Its Role in the Decision
Trump’s announcement also highlighted his administration’s stance on South Africa. He pointed out that economic assistance to the country was cut off due to its policies regarding land ownership, particularly the government's plan to seize land from white farmers.
Hunter Biden’s decision to vacation in South Africa despite these policies appeared to irritate Trump, potentially influencing his decision to withdraw Secret Service protection.
Hunter Biden’s Legal and Financial Woes
For years, Hunter Biden has been the subject of political and legal scrutiny, including an impeachment inquiry into his father, Joe Biden. House Republicans have spent the past two years investigating Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings, uncovering $27 million in payments from foreign entities to Biden and his business associates during and after his father’s tenure as vice president.
Republican investigators also found evidence linking Joe Biden to interactions with his son’s business partners, contradicting the president’s past claims that he had no involvement in his son’s dealings. Additionally, IRS whistleblowers testified that the Justice Department deliberately slow-walked investigations into Hunter Biden’s tax fraud and financial mismanagement.
These revelations led to Hunter Biden’s indictment on multiple federal charges, including gun and tax crimes. In June 2024, a Delaware jury found him guilty of three felony gun charges related to lying about his drug use when purchasing a firearm. Three months later, he pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges, admitting that he had failed to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes over the past decade.
Despite these convictions, Joe Biden pardoned his son in December 2024, a move that sparked bipartisan backlash. The sweeping pardon covered all potential crimes committed between January 2014 and December 2024, despite President Biden’s previous statements that he would never interfere in his son’s legal troubles. The decision drew criticism from Republicans and even some Democrats, who saw it as an abuse of executive power.
Ashley Biden Also Loses Protection
While Hunter Biden has been the center of political controversy, Ashley Biden has largely avoided public scrutiny. However, Trump’s decision to revoke her Secret Service protection was included in the announcement, with no further explanation provided.
Ashley Biden, the only child of Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, has primarily stayed out of the spotlight except for appearances supporting her family. Unlike Hunter, she has not faced allegations of financial misconduct or criminal behavior.
A Politically Charged Move
Trump’s decision to strip Secret Service protection from the Biden siblings underscores the ongoing political battle between the Trump and Biden families. While Trump argues that taxpayers should not foot the bill for extended protection of the president’s adult children, critics view the move as a politically motivated attack.
Hunter Biden’s legal troubles, financial difficulties, and international travels continue to make headlines, fueling debates over his influence and connections. Meanwhile, Trump’s actions suggest he intends to maintain pressure on the Biden family, especially as the 2024 presidential election’s aftermath continues to shape political discourse.
