Key takeaways:

• Donald Trump announced the immediate revocation of Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden.
• Trump criticized the number of agents assigned to Hunter Biden, indicating it was an unnecessary cost to taxpayers.
• This action follows a trend of Trump revoking protections and clearances for his political opponents.

In a surprising announcement on his social media platform Truth Social, President Donald Trump declared the termination of Secret Service protection for Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, children of former President Joe Biden, effective immediately. Trump stated that Hunter's protective detail included "as many as 18" agents while he vacationed in South Africa, which the president labeled as "ridiculous." Ashley Biden, according to Trump, is accompanied by 13 agents, all of which will now be dismissed from their security roles. The remark came as Trump responded to queries about the Biden family's security during a visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he claimed this was his first awareness of the details.

Trump's decision appears to reflect his ongoing dissatisfaction with the Biden family, who have been frequent targets of Republican criticism. Notably, Trump's administration has previously revoked Secret Service protection for several other political figures, including former national security adviser John Bolton and Dr. Anthony Fauci. This consistent trend aligns with broader Republican narratives targeting Hunter Biden, particularly surrounding past controversies related to his business dealings and legal troubles.

The Secret Service confirmed its compliance with Trump's directive, stating it was actively coordinating to implement the changes. Typically, former presidents' children receive Secret Service protection only until the age of 16, although extensions can be granted, which Trump had used to offer additional coverage for his own children.

For more details, visit The Hill, Newsweek, and CBS News.