Donald Trump has slammed the “ridiculous” expenditure of public funds as he revoked Secret Service protection for Joe Biden’s adult offspring, Hunter and Ashley.

Despite having 18 agents assigned to him during a trip to his wife’s native South Africa, Hunter, along with Ashley, will now be stripped of the legal security bubble typically provided by the Secret Service.

Joe Biden had previously extended Secret Service detail for his children for a further six months as his presidential term came to a close, mirroring Trump’s earlier actions in 2021 when he authorised costly coverage for Donald Jr, Ivanka, Eric, their spouses, and Tiffany. This decision reportedly cost taxpayers $1.7 million (£1.3 million), reports The Mirror. 

However, speaking at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, the unflinching Trump declared, “I would say if there are 18 with Hunter Biden, that will be something I’ll look at this afternoon… I’m going to take a look at that.”

On Truth Social, Trump also criticised: “Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States taxpayer.”

He concluded on his post, expressing disdain over Hunter’s choice of vacation spot amidst human rights concerns, stating: “There are as many as 18 people on this detail, which is ridiculous! He is currently vacationing in, of all places, South Africa, where the human rights of people has been strenuously questioned.

“Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection. Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents will be taken off the list.”

There was no immediate response from the office of the former president. Under federal law, former presidents and their spouses are entitled to life-long Secret Service protection, but this protection does not extend to their immediate family members over the age of 16 once they leave office.

Outgoing presidents have the option to extend this protection for those who might otherwise not qualify for up to six months after leaving office. This is something both Biden and Trump did for their families after their respective terms ended in 2021.

Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush also extended protection for their families for a period.

This comes as a blow for Hunter, especially given recent reports suggesting he has fallen “on hard times” following the end of his father’s presidency. The father of five was found guilty of federal gun charges in June and admitted to tax evasion in September, but received a pardon from his father in December last year.