Decision Sparks Controversy as President Cites Taxpayer Costs, Effective Immediately

March 17, 2025 - Washington, D.C. - President Donald Trump announced on Monday, March 17, 2025, that he has revoked Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, the adult children of former President Joe Biden, effective immediately. The decision, which Trump shared via a post on Truth Social, has ignited a firestorm of debate across political and public spheres, with the president citing the burden on American taxpayers as a primary justification.

In his statement, Trump wrote, “Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer. Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection. Likewise, Ashley Biden, who has 13 agents, will be taken off the list.” The president also linked the decision to Hunter Biden’s recent trip to South Africa, suggesting it exemplified unnecessary expenditure, and declared that the country would be removed from a list of nations receiving U.S. economic assistance as a result.

The announcement comes on the heels of Trump’s return to the White House, following a campaign that leaned heavily on promises to cut government spending and target perceived excesses tied to his political rivals. Under federal law, Secret Service protection for a former president’s immediate family members over the age of 16 typically ends when their term concludes, though both Trump and Biden had previously extended protection for their adult children for six months post-tenure. For Hunter, 55, and Ashley, 43, this extension had remained in place—until now.

Critics were quick to pounce, accusing Trump of wielding his authority to settle personal scores. “This is nothing more than political retribution dressed up as fiscal responsibility,” said a spokesperson for the Biden family, who declined to be named. Supporters, however, cheered the move as a long-overdue correction. “Why should taxpayers foot the bill for Hunter Biden’s vacations or Ashley Biden’s entourage?” asked a prominent conservative commentator on social media.

The Secret Service, tasked with implementing the directive, confirmed it has begun withdrawing protective details for both individuals. A spokesperson for the agency stated, “We are aware of the President’s decision and are complying with the order effective immediately.” Details surrounding the exact number of agents assigned—Trump claimed Hunter had “as many as 18” and Ashley had 13—could not be independently verified at the time of reporting.

The timing of the decision has raised eyebrows, particularly with Hunter Biden’s recent sighting in Cape Town, South Africa, where he was reportedly staying in a luxury beachfront villa. Some speculate the trip may have been an attempt to avoid ongoing legal scrutiny in the United States, though no official subpoena has been confirmed. Ashley Biden, who resides in Philadelphia, has maintained a lower profile but has nonetheless been swept into the controversy.

Trump’s own history with Secret Service protection adds another layer to the narrative. After leaving office in 2021, he secured six months of extended protection for his adult children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany—at an estimated cost of $1.7 million to taxpayers, according to spending records from that period. When pressed by reporters earlier Monday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Trump deflected questions about consistency, saying, “If there are 18 with Hunter Biden, that will be something I’ll look at this afternoon.”

As news of the revocation spread, reactions poured in from across the political spectrum. On X, posts ranged from celebratory—“Finally, some accountability!”—to condemnatory—“A petty abuse of power.” The Biden family has yet to issue an official response, though sources close to them suggest they are weighing legal options to challenge the decision.