Trump Revokes Secret Service Protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden

President Donald Trump made waves on Monday by announcing the immediate revocation of U.S. Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, former President Joe Biden's adult children. The decision was shared via his Truth Social account, where Trump expressed frustration over the resources allocated to their security.

Hunter Biden, according to Trump’s post, had an "extended" security detail with up to 18 personnel assigned—a number the former president labeled as "ridiculous." Trump declared, "Effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection." The announcement didn't stop there as Trump's decision also affected Ashley Biden, who reportedly had 13 agents assigned to her detail.

The Secret Service confirmed its compliance with the president’s directive, stating that they were working actively with protective details and the White House for a seamless transition. Meanwhile, Hunter Biden's legal team has yet to comment on the development.

It’s worth noting that federal law grants life-long Secret Service protection to former presidents and their spouses, but coverage for their children over the age of 16 typically ends when they leave office. Both Trump and Biden had extended Secret Service protection for their children for six months post-office. However, Biden notably allowed Baron Trump to retain his protection after his 16th birthday.

In a related twist, Trump’s post also took a jab at South Africa, where Biden was reportedly vacationing. Trump criticized the country’s land exploration law, labeling it discriminatory against white landowners, and cited its support for Hamas and Iran as reasons for removing South Africa from the U.S.'s list of countries receiving economic aid. That’s one way to keep foreign policy spicy, isn’t it?

Adding fuel to the fire, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently declared South Africa's ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, "persona non grata." Rubio accused Rasool of race-baiting and slammed his comments criticizing the MAGA movement and demographic shifts within America. The ambassador’s remarks about projected changes in the voting electorate—expected to become 48% white—clearly ruffled some feathers.

Rasool’s comments and Rubio’s fiery response underline the tense dynamics between Trump’s circle and South African representatives. Trump’s decision to revoke Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden may just be the latest chapter in this saga, but it certainly sets the tone for how personal and political lines can blur in real-time policymaking.