This browser does not support the Video element.
President Trump speaks at Kennedy Center to reporters
For the third time today, President Trump has given a quick press conference to reporters at the Kennedy Center, which he is visiting today.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is revoking Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, bringing an immediate end to their extended security details.
The move comes after Trump raised concerns about the number of agents assigned to Hunter Biden’s detail in South Africa, which he claimed included 18 personnel. He also said that Ashley Biden had 13 agents assigned to her detail.
While former presidents and their spouses receive lifelong Secret Service protection, security for adult children typically ends when they leave office—though both Trump and Biden extended these details for six months after leaving the White House.
Why did Trump revoke Secret Service protection?
The backstory:
Speaking from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Trump told reporters that this was the first time he had heard about the details surrounding Hunter Biden’s protection.
"Well, we have done that with many," Trump said. "I would say if there are 18 with Hunter Biden, that will be something I’ll look at this afternoon."
Trump later confirmed his decision to revoke the extended protection immediately, though there has been no response from Biden’s office regarding the change.
How does Secret Service protection work?
The other side:
Under federal law, former presidents and their spouses receive lifetime Secret Service protection, while their children lose it at age 16 unless an extension is granted.
Both Trump and Biden extended protection for their adult children for six months after leaving office. Trump’s latest decision removes this extension for Hunter and Ashley Biden months before it was set to expire in July.
US First Lady Jill Biden with Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, attends her granddaughter Maisy Biden's graduation from the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field on May 15, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
It remains unclear whether Trump will make additional changes to Secret Service protection policies for other former first families.
What's next:
The decision immediately removes federal protection from Hunter and Ashley Biden, leaving them responsible for their own security.
While it is not uncommon for former presidents to extend temporary Secret Service protection to family members, Trump’s decision to revoke it early is unusual.
With no immediate response from Joe Biden’s office, it remains unclear if any alternative security measures will be taken.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. It is based on information from The Associated Press, detailing Trump’s announcement, Secret Service policies, and past extensions granted by former presidents.