"Hunter Biden has been protected by 18 Secret Service agents for a long time, all costs come from people's taxes. Hunter will no longer be protected. Similarly, Ashley Biden, who has 13 security behind him, was also removed from the list. This order is effective immediately," Mr. Trump announced on the social network Truth Social on March 17 (local time).
Reuters reported that the announcement came just hours after the media raised questions about Hunter Biden's protectionist privileges. At the time, President Trump said he did not have a clear understanding of the details but would consider the issue.
The Secret Service confirmed that it had received the order and was carrying out the execution. Former President Biden's office has not commented on the decision.
Under federal law, former presidents and their spouses are protected by the Secret Service for life, while children over 16 are only protected during their father or mother's term. Before leaving the White House, Mr. Biden extended 6 months of protection for Hunter and Ashley.
Hunter Biden, 55, is Biden's only surviving son after his brother Beau Biden passed away in 2015 from brain cancer. He was convicted by a federal court of possessing a gun while addicted to drugs and tax evasion. However, in the final days of his term, Mr. Biden signed a pardon for his son.
Ashley Biden, 43, is Mr. Biden's daughter. She works in business and social work, lives a private life and has declared that she will not participate in government when her father is in office.
Both Hunter and Ashley Biden have not yet responded to the cancellation of their security protection rights.
