President Donald Trump announced on March 17, 2025, that he was revoking Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, the adult children of former President Joe Biden, with the decision taking effect immediately.
The announcement was made via a post on Truth Social, where Trump stated that Hunter Biden’s security team included 18 agents and Ashley Biden’s had 13, calling the numbers “ridiculous” and emphasizing that this protection was funded by American taxpayers.
He noted that Hunter was vacationing in South Africa at the time, a detail that aligns with reports from far-right activist Laura Loomer, who claimed Hunter was accompanied by a substantial Secret Service contingent during this trip.
Trump’s post also tied the decision to his broader policy of cutting economic aid to South Africa, citing human rights concerns, though the specifics of this connection remain unclear.
Under U.S. federal law, former presidents and their spouses receive lifelong Secret Service protection, but coverage for their children typically ends when the president leaves office, unless extended by the sitting president.
Before leaving office in January 2025, Joe Biden had extended protection for his adult children until July 2025, a common practice also employed by Trump for his own children after his first term (2017–2021).
Trump’s decision to terminate this extension early aligns with his administration’s pattern of revoking security details for political adversaries, including figures like John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Anthony Fauci.