President Donald Trump is ending the Secret Service protection for former President Joe Biden’s children, Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, early.

On March 17, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, the adult children of former President Joe Biden. This decision has sparked discussions regarding the scope of presidential authority and the implications for the Biden family.

Traditionally, the Secret Service provides lifetime protection to former presidents and their spouses. Their children are typically granted protection until they reach the age of 16. However, outgoing presidents have the discretion to extend this protection for their adult children for up to six months post-presidency. Prior administrations, including those of Presidents Obama and Bush, have exercised this option to ensure the safety of their families during the transition period.

President Trump cited concerns over the financial burden on taxpayers as the primary reason for revoking the protective details assigned to Hunter and Ashley Biden. In a statement on his platform, Truth Social, Trump highlighted the substantial resources allocated to their security, noting that Hunter Biden’s detail consisted of 18 agents, while Ashley Biden’s comprised 13 agents. He emphasized the need to reassess such expenditures, especially when they involve extensive personnel and costs.

The decision also comes amid reports of Hunter Biden’s recent trip to South Africa. President Trump criticized this visit, pointing out that South Africa has been under scrutiny for its human rights record and that the trip incurred significant expenses due to the extensive security detail required. Trump questioned the necessity and appropriateness of allocating taxpayer-funded protection for such personal endeavors, especially in regions deemed high-risk.

Following the President’s directive, the Secret Service confirmed receipt of the order and has initiated procedures to withdraw the protective details assigned to Hunter and Ashley Biden. In a statement, the agency acknowledged the President’s decision and assured that the transition would be handled professionally, ensuring the safety of all parties involved during the process.

This move aligns with President Trump’s previous actions concerning Secret Service protection. Notably, he had previously terminated protective details for former officials, citing cost and resource allocation concerns. These decisions underscore an ongoing evaluation of the balance between security needs and fiscal responsibility within the administration.

The revocation of Secret Service protection for the Biden siblings has elicited varied reactions. Supporters of the decision argue that it is a prudent measure to reduce unnecessary government spending, especially when the individuals in question are private citizens without official roles. Critics, however, contend that the move could expose the former President’s family to potential security risks and view it as a departure from longstanding traditions of extending courtesy protections to predecessors’ families.

As of now, representatives for Hunter and Ashley Biden have not publicly commented on the revocation of their Secret Service protection. It remains to be seen whether they will seek private security arrangements or address the matter in the public domain.

This development adds to the ongoing discourse on the responsibilities and limitations of presidential authority concerning the security provisions for former first families. It also raises questions about the criteria used to determine the necessity and duration of such protections in the future.