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Fact check: Trump ends secret service protection for biden's children. this is different than what happens for other presidents and their families

Checked on March 18, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The statement is accurate - Trump has announced he is ending Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden "effective immediately" [1]. The Secret Service has confirmed they will comply with this decision [2]. This differs from standard practice in that Biden had previously extended protection for his children until July through an executive order, which was within his rights as an outgoing president [1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original statement:

  • Standard Protection Rules: By law, only former presidents and their spouses receive lifelong protection. Protection for children over 16 typically ends when a president leaves office [2] [2].
  • Previous Presidential Extensions: Both Obama and Bush had extended protection for their children after leaving office [2], and Trump himself extended protection for his four adult children after leaving office in 2021 [3].
  • Current Protection Details: Hunter Biden reportedly had 18 agents assigned, while Ashley Biden had 13 agents [4]. Trump specifically mentioned Hunter's protection while in South Africa as a point of contention [2].
  • Legal Implications: The decision could potentially face legal challenges from the Bidens [1].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement lacks several important contextual elements that could affect interpretation:

  • Political Motivation: Sources suggest this decision appears to be politically motivated rather than based on security protocols [5]. It's described as part of a "revenge tour" since returning to office [5].
  • Personal Targeting: Sources indicate Trump is specifically targeting Biden's children and has a history of revoking security details for perceived political opponents [6].
  • Age Context: The statement doesn't mention that Hunter Biden [7] and Ashley Biden [8] are well beyond the typical age for protection [6], which could affect public perception of the necessity of their protection.
  • Double Standard: The fact that Trump extended protection for his own adult children after leaving office [3] but is now revoking it for Biden's children suggests potential inconsistency in application of these privileges.
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