Is it True that Donald Trump’s Kids No Longer Have Secret Service Protection?

No, it is not true that Donald Trump’s children no longer have Secret Service protection after leaving office. The situation is actually more complex than that. Let's dive into the details.

Legislative Background and the 16-Year Rule

Under the law, the Secret Service is required to provide protection for former presidents and their spouses for life, as well as for the children of former presidents until they turn 16. This ensures that whenever former presidents or their immediate family members are in public, they are protected from potential threats.

However, in a notable case, President Donald Trump issued an unusual order extending Secret Service protection for his adult children and several others for six months after leaving office. This decision raises several important questions about the process and the costs involved.

President Trump's Unusual Order

On the surface, it might seem that Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron, no longer has Secret Service protection since he is 17 and has aged out of protection according to the 16-year rule. However, whenever Barron is in his father's or mother's presence, he is accompanied by the Secret Service. This unexpected policy move cost U.S. taxpayers an additional $1.6 million.

Key Facts about the Order:

The order extended protection for Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany for six months after the president left office. In addition, Ivanka's husband, Jared Kushner, and Eric's wife, Lara, were also protected during this time. Three officials were also included: Steve Mnuchin (former Secretary to the Treasury), Mark Meadows (former chief of staff), and Robert C. O'Brien (former national security adviser).

Cost to Taxpayers

According to a Washington Post analysis, Donald Trump's decision to provide extended protection cost U.S. taxpayers $1.7 million. This substantial expense was caused by the unusual order he issued to the Secret Service.

Recent Precedents

Historically, some former presidents have extended the Secret Service protection to their college-aged children for a short time after leaving office. Examples include former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

Key Differences:

Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton allowed some protection for their children until they reached college age, which is typically between 18 and 21. Donald Trump, on the other hand, extended the protection only for six months to his adult children and a few officials, which contrasts with the typical practice of allowing continued protection for a longer period.

Conclusion

While Donald Trump's policy regarding Secret Service protection for his children after leaving office extended protection for six months, it did not align with the typical practices of extending protection to former presidents' children until they reach the age of 16. This decision, though unusual at the time, highlights the complexities and potential challenges in Secret Service policy.

It is essential to understand that despite the extension, the 16-year rule still applies to Barron and the typical duration of protection for other former presidents' children may differ. This situation underscores the importance of ongoing discussions and modifications to Secret Service policies to better serve the needs of former presidents and their families.