President Donald Trump has recently mandated an immediate cessation of Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, citing concerns over excessive expenses and the size of the security teams. On March 17, Trump revealed that Hunter’s security detail comprised 18 agents, which he deemed “ridiculous.” In contrast, Ashley Biden was assigned 13 agents. This decision aligns with a broader initiative to cut taxpayer-funded security, resulting in the withdrawal of protection for several prominent individuals, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and former officials such as John Bolton and Mike Pompeo.

Trump defended his choice by asserting that lifetime Secret Service protection should not be extended and that the Biden children no longer require such measures. He also criticized Hunter Biden’s trip to South Africa, a nation Trump has often disparaged. This announcement follows closely after President Joe Biden granted a comprehensive pardon to Hunter, nullifying federal convictions related to tax evasion and gun possession. In response, Trump labeled Biden’s pardons as “void” and raised doubts about the validity of those granted to members of the January 6 committee, alleging that an autopen was improperly used to sign them.