Well, folks, it seems even the son of a former president can’t escape the long arm of policy changes, as Hunter Biden was spotted wandering Cape Town, South Africa, without a security detail in sight.
The Times of India reported that Friday’s sighting of Hunter, alongside his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, and their young son, Beau Biden Jr., marked his first public appearance in some time but also highlighted the fallout from a decision by President Donald Trump to strip Hunter of extended Secret Service protection back in March.
Let’s rewind a bit to that March decision, when Trump, in a move that raised eyebrows, revoked the security privileges Hunter had enjoyed during his father’s presidency.
Typically, children of former presidents lose Secret Service protection at 16, but Hunter had been granted an exception—until now. Turns out, actions do have consequences, even for the well-connected.
The Biden family was seen cruising around Cape Town in a rented Toyota sedan, a far cry from the armored black Chevy Suburbans of yesteryear. It’s a humbling image, one that paints a picture of a family trying to keep things normal despite the spotlight.
They parked on Sea Point Main Road, a ritzy part of town, paid for street parking like the rest of us, and even popped into a local butcher. No entourage, no bodyguards—just a family running errands. For better or worse, that’s the reality of life without a security detail.
This isn’t just a random vacation, though; it’s Hunter’s first time in the public eye since Joe Biden’s health news broke.
Back to that security revocation—Trump’s call came during Hunter’s previous South Africa visit, and the lack of any visible protection on Friday suggests the order is in full effect. It’s a stark reminder that political decisions can hit close to home, literally leaving someone exposed.
While Hunter navigates life without a safety net, the political storm brews stronger back in Washington. Republicans are ramping up efforts to probe what they see as a cover-up of Joe Biden’s alleged cognitive decline during his time in office. It’s a serious charge, and one wonders if personal vendettas are clouding the bigger picture.
Senators Eric Schmitt and John Cornyn have scheduled a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for June 18 to dig into claims that Biden’s aides and media allies hid his deteriorating mental state.
Witnesses are still being lined up, but this promises to be a blockbuster session. Will it uncover truth, or just fan the flames of partisan theater?
This hearing, set to be the first full congressional session on the issue, could shape public perception of the former administration. Conservatives like myself see it as a necessary check on power, though we must ensure it doesn’t devolve into a witch hunt.
Meanwhile, Hunter’s unprotected outing in Cape Town paints a human side to this political saga. A man, a father, a husband—just trying to buy meat at a butcher without a shadow of security. It’s hard not to feel a twinge of empathy, even if you question the fairness of his prior perks.
Let’s be honest: the decision to yank his protection feels like a pointed jab, especially coming during a prior South Africa trip.
Yet, policy is policy, and exceptions can’t be made just because of a last name—or can they? That’s the debate conservatives must wrestle with, balancing fairness and accountability.
For now, Hunter seems to be taking the change in stride, or at least as much as one can while parking a rental car under the public’s watchful eye. It’s a downgrade from the presidential treatment, no doubt, but perhaps a dose of reality isn’t the worst thing.