President Donald Trump has removed Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, citing the “ridiculous” cost to taxpayers—especially in light of Hunter’s recent trip to South Africa.
Joe Biden had granted his children six months of Secret Service protection after leaving office, a move not uncommon among presidents. Trump did the same for his own children after his first term. However, Trump criticized the expenses tied to Hunter’s security detail, particularly during his stay in Cape Town, where he was seen at a $500-a-night beachfront villa with an 18-agent Secret Service team. Reports estimate the trip may have cost taxpayers up to $500,000.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States taxpayer. There are as many as 18 people on this detail, which is ridiculous! He is currently vacationing in, of all places, South Africa, where human rights concerns have been raised. Because of this, South Africa has been removed from our list of countries receiving economic and financial assistance. Effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection. Likewise, Ashley Biden, who has 13 agents, will also lose her detail.”
Ashley Biden, who lives and works in Philadelphia, was also affected by the decision. Typically, Secret Service protection is not guaranteed for the children of former presidents after they turn 16, unless granted by the president.
This move is part of a broader pattern. Shortly after taking office, Trump also removed security details for John Bolton and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Critics point out that while Trump extended security for his own children in 2021—costing taxpayers $1.7 million—Democrats were quick to condemn the expense.
Hunter Biden’s Legal and Financial Troubles
Hunter Biden, recently pardoned by his father for firearm and tax evasion charges, now claims to be in severe financial distress. In a March court filing, he stated that his art sales have plummeted, his book has failed to generate income, and he is struggling to find a new home for his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and their son, Beau Jr.
“Like many others in this situation, Plaintiff has had difficulty securing a permanent residence and earning a living,” his legal team wrote.
Hunter’s financial burdens include:
•$5,000/month in child support for his six-year-old daughter, Navy Joan Roberts, with ex-assistant Lunden Roberts.
•$2.9 million in alimony owed to ex-wife Kathleen Buhle (Axios, June 2024).
Ashley Biden’s Charity Faces Scrutiny
Meanwhile, Ashley Biden’s nonprofit is under investigation after reports revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s foundation, Archewell, donated $250,000 to her initiative, Women’s Wellness (Spa)ce—a Philadelphia-based trauma-informed wellness center for women.
Nile Gardiner, Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, has called for “significant scrutiny” over the donation, demanding full transparency and oversight of the funds. The donation was recorded during the 2023-2024 tax year, according to Archewell’s latest impact report.
With both Hunter’s financial struggles and Ashley’s charity under the spotlight, the Biden children now find themselves navigating new controversies—without the government-funded protection they once had.
