President Donald Trump has officially revoked U.S. Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, the adult children of former President Joe Biden. The decision was announced on Monday through Trump’s Truth Social account, where he criticized the prolonged security detail for Hunter Biden.
“There are as many as 18 people on this Detail, which is ridiculous!” Trump wrote. “Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection.”
Ashley Biden, Hunter’s sister, will also lose her Secret Service security detail, which Trump noted included 13 agents.
Secret Service Confirms Compliance
A spokesperson for the Secret Service confirmed the decision, stating, “We are 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.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Hunter Biden’s legal representatives for comment, but no immediate response was received.
Presidential Security Protocols and Past Extensions
Under federal law, presidents and their spouses receive lifetime Secret Service protection. However, protection for their children over the age of 16 typically ends when the president leaves office. Both Trump and Biden had previously extended Secret Service details for their children for six months beyond their terms, as reported by the Associated Press.
Notably, former President Joe Biden had allowed Barron Trump, son of Donald Trump, to continue receiving protection even after his 16th birthday.
Trump Criticizes Biden Over South Africa Policies
In his Truth Social post, Trump also accused President Biden of vacationing in South Africa while failing to address significant policy issues. He criticized South Africa’s land expropriation law, which allows the government to seize land without compensation. Trump claimed that this policy unfairly targets White landowners and justified removing South Africa from the U.S. economic and financial assistance list.
“Because of this, South Africa has been taken off our list of Countries receiving Economic and Financial Assistance,” Trump wrote.
Tensions Rise Between U.S. and South Africa
The Biden administration has been pressuring South Africa over its stance on international affairs, including its support for Palestinian group Hamas and its ties to Iran. Trump’s post comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, was “no longer welcome” in the country. Rubio accused Rasool of making inflammatory statements about American politics and racial demographics.
During a Friday webinar, Rasool commented on U.S. domestic policies, claiming that the MAGA movement is a reaction to shifting demographic trends. He stated, “The voting electorate in the U.S.A. is projected to become 48% White. The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A.”
Rubio responded forcefully on X, formerly Twitter, calling Rasool a “race-baiting politician” and declaring him “persona non grata.”
With Secret Service protection now revoked, Hunter and Ashley Biden will need to arrange for their own security. This decision aligns with standard post-presidency protocols but remains politically charged amid ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden’s business dealings.
As tensions between the U.S. and South Africa continue to mount, the diplomatic fallout from these latest developments remains uncertain.