Trump Strips Mayorkas Of Secret Service Protection

Man in suit speaking at podium with flag background

President Trump has officially revoked Secret Service protection for Alejandro Mayorkas following his impeachment as Homeland Security Secretary, marking another significant shift in the administration’s approach to security privileges.

Key Takeaways

  • President Trump revoked Secret Service protection for former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas through an executive memorandum.
  • This decision comes just one week after Trump ended Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden.
  • The Secret Service has confirmed they are working to comply with the President’s directive.
  • Hunter Biden’s security detail reportedly involved as many as 18 agents, while Ashley Biden’s protection required 13 agents.
  • While former presidents and their spouses receive lifetime protection, security for adult children typically ends when a president leaves office.

Mayorkas Loses Secret Service Protection

President Donald Trump has officially stripped former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas of his Secret Service protection. The decision was confirmed by the Secret Service following an executive memorandum issued directly from the President. This action against Mayorkas, who faced impeachment over his handling of border security issues, represents a significant development in the aftermath of his controversial tenure overseeing America’s homeland security operations.

The removal of Mayorkas’s security detail comes at a time when the administration has been reevaluating various security protocols and privileges extended to former officials. The Secret Service has issued a statement acknowledging the directive, noting that they are working to comply with the President’s decision regarding the former Homeland Security Secretary’s protection status. This marks a clear departure from previous protocols for cabinet-level officials who had overseen sensitive national security matters.

Part of Broader Security Protocol Changes

This decision follows closely on the heels of another security protocol change announced just last week, when President Trump revoked Secret Service protection for former President Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden. According to reports, Hunter Biden’s security detail was particularly extensive, with President Trump claiming it involved as many as 18 agents. Similarly, Ashley Biden had been receiving protection from approximately 13 agents before the revocation took effect.

The series of protection removals appears to reflect President Trump’s stated concerns about excessive security resources being allocated to certain individuals. While former presidents and their spouses are entitled to lifetime Secret Service protection under federal law, the security arrangements for their adult family members typically end when they leave office. Both Trump and Biden had previously extended Secret Service protection for their children for six months after their respective terms ended.

Precedent and Protocol

Security experts note that the protection of former officials has established precedents, though the President maintains authority to modify these arrangements. During the previous Biden administration, Baron Trump was permitted to retain his Secret Service protection after turning 16 years old. These reciprocal accommodations across administrations have been common practice, though the current administration appears to be reevaluating the scope and recipients of such extended protection.

The Secret Service must now reallocate resources previously assigned to Mayorkas and the Biden family members. With significant demands on the agency for protection of current officials, diplomatic visitors, and designated national security events, the freed resources will likely be redirected to other priority assignments. The agency continues to maintain its core mission of protecting current government officials while adjusting to the new directives from the administration.

Sources:

  1. Trump Revokes Secret Service Details for Mayorkas, Hunter and Ashley Biden | National Review
  2. Trump Revokes Mayorkas’ Secret Service Detail | Newsmax.com
  3. Trump revokes former US DHS Secretary Maryorkas’ Secret Service protection | Fox News
  4. Trump Revokes Mayorkas’ Secret Service Detail | Newsmax.com