The U.S. Secret Service has responded to inquiries regarding whether the agency would be obligated to continue protecting first son Hunter Biden if he is jailed after being found guilty of felony gun charges.
“Hunter Biden’s Secret Service protection will remain unchanged despite this week’s judicial outcome,” Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the U.S. Secret Service, told Newsweek in a Thursday statement. This week, the president’s son was convicted by a jury in Wilmington, Delaware. He was found guilty of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer by falsely claiming on the application that he was not a drug user and illegally possessing the revolver for 11 days.
The Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting national leaders, their families, and visiting heads of state, is mandated to safeguard the children of a sitting president only until they reach the age of 16. However, the agency has usually chosen to provide protection even after the children become adults. Hunter, whose codename is “Captain,” was given Secret Service protection during his trial and is expected to have security personnel with him at his sentencing hearing. The date for the hearing has not been set yet, but sentencing usually occurs within 120 days after a conviction. Hunter has been receiving protection since his father took office.
The Secret Service was present at the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump earlier this year. While Trump is entitled to lifetime protection as the former commander-in-chief, Hunter Biden could lose his security detail if his father loses November’s election, Newsweek noted further.
It’s uncertain how Hunter Biden’s security would change if he’s given a prison sentence. He was found guilty on three counts that could result in up to 25 years in prison, but first-time offenders typically don’t receive the maximum sentence. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest much lighter penalties, so there’s a possibility that Hunter Biden might not be required to serve any time in prison.
“In all reality, and not because his last name is Biden — simply because anybody convicted of this kind of crime would probably get probation and a fine — that’s probably what he’ll get as well,” legal analyst Sara Azari told NewsNation on Tuesday. “He’s not being treated about the law or any differently.”
It’s uncertain whether Trump will face time in jail for his conviction. He was found guilty by a jury on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, and each count carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison. Trump’s sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 11th. Legal experts have said that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had no authority to try Trump on federal election violations, and federal officials with the Federal Election Commission have said Trump did not violate any laws when paying hush money to former adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
The Secret Service is allowed to provide lifetime protection to former presidents and their spouses, but those who are no longer in office can choose not to receive this protection. Richard Nixon chose to forgo protection in 1985 after his wife, Pat, did the same in an effort to reduce government expenses. As the child of a sitting president, Hunter Biden could also decide not to receive protection, although he has not indicated whether he will do so.