President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration would be “immediately” revoking Secret Service protection for former President Joe Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden.
In a Monday post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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 explained that Hunter Biden is currently vacationing in South Africa, “where the Human Rights of people has been strenuously questioned,” resulting in the United States removing South Africa from the list of countries receiving economic and financial assistance from the U.S.
“Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection,” the 47th president added. “Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents will be taken off the list.”
According to U.S. law, while former presidents receive Secret Service protection for their entire lives, the children of former presidents are only guaranteed Secret Service protection until they are 16. The Associated Press reported that Trump and Biden both extended Secret Service protections for their children for six months after the end of their terms in office.
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Asked earlier on Monday if he would revoke the Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden after reports surfaced that the former president’s son was vacationing in South Africa, Trump said, “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.”
After explaining why his administration has stopped providing financial assistance to South Africa, Trump added, “So he’s in South Africa? That’s very interesting. Alright, I’m going to take a look at that.”
Trump’s comments came after Laura Loomer, an independent reporter, shared pictures of Hunter Biden in South Africa on social media.
Loomer reported, “I can also exclusively confirm the US @SecretService is being forced to protect Hunter Biden, his second wife Melissa Cohen, and their child Beau as they shop at high end stores and live in an oceanside villa in Capetown for the next 6 weeks to 3 months.”
The independent reporter added, “4 agents work to protect Hunter and his wife every 8 hours in 3 shifts, for a total of 12 Secret Service agents every day, ON US TAXPAYER DIME!”
