President Donald Trump has announced a significant change in the scope of Secret Service protection by revoking coverage for multiple prominent individuals.
Fox News reported that the decision, communicated through an executive memorandum and a subsequent series of Truth Social posts from Trump, affects former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the adult children of former President Joe Biden.
President Trump removed Secret Service protection from various individuals, including former Secretary Mayorkas and Hunter and Ashley Biden, a change confirmed by the Secret Service in collaboration with the White House.
Starting this past Monday, Alejandro Mayorkas, who formerly served as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, was informed of the cessation of his protective detail.
The Secret Service, tasked with safeguarding current and certain former government officials, affirmed adherence to the executive directive issued by Trump.
This decision trails another recent revocation affecting the Biden family. A week prior, Trump announced that Hunter Biden, the son of former President Biden, would no longer be receiving Secret Service protection.
The decision marked a significant shift from previous practices regarding the protection of family members of former presidents.
Hunter Biden had been under Secret Service watch for an extended period, reportedly with as many as 18 agents in his detail. Trump highlighted these numbers as excessive, using a Truth Social post to express disapproval of the size of Hunter's protective team.
The protection of Ashley Biden, Hunter’s sister, was also withdrawn. Her protective detail comprised 13 agents. The sudden removal of these protections showcases Trump's intent to scale back the security resources allocated to the Biden family.
Following the announcements, the Secret Service officially confirmed through Fox News Digital that they are implementing the changes mandated by the executive memorandum. The agency conveyed its active collaboration with the protective details and the White House to ensure swift compliance with the new directives.
In a brief issued by the Secret Service, the agency acknowledged the decision's implications for Hunter and Ashley Biden's security. "The Secret Service will comply," the statement affirmed, highlighting the organization's commitment to aligning with presidential orders.
Protection for former presidents and their spouses is a lifetime benefit mandated by law. However, the situation is different for immediate family members who are over 16; they generally lose their protective details once the presidency ends.
Previous administrations, including those led by Trump and Biden, extended these protections by six months beyond the typical coverage period.
While the Biden family members faced a swift withdrawal of their protection, another exemption to standard policies was observed concerning President Trump's own family.
The protections afforded to Baron Trump, President Trump’s youngest son, were permitted to continue even after his 16th birthday, highlighting a clear contrast in how presidential discretion affects security allotments.
This revocation of protection for public figures like Alejandro Mayorkas and both Hunter and Ashley Biden contributes to an ongoing dialogue about the allocation and management of security resources for former administration officials and their families.
The financial and operational implications of these decisions continue to stoke debate among political observers and security experts.
Critics of the decision argue that the withdrawal of such protections can leave individuals exposed to potential threats, given their high-profile statuses. Meanwhile, supporters claim that the recalibration is a necessary measure to streamline federal resources and cut unnecessary costs.
