The Secret Service is reportedly renting an estate in the Malibu area for more than $30,000 a month to protect Hunter Biden, who is living nearby.
A former Secret Service agent told ABC News that the setup is “the cost of doing business for the Secret Service”.
Under federal law, Hunter, like other presidential family members, is entitled to mandated protection from the agency.
Retired agent Don Mihalek told ABC “Typically, wherever a protectee sets up their residence, the Secret Service is forced to find someplace to rent nearby at market value”.
He noted that the agency also rents properties at Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, as part of its duty to protect President Biden.
“This isn’t new,” Mihalek explained. “The service has had to do this in past administrations, and unfortunately, the housing market right now has driven the prices up substantially”.
While he is under investigation for allegations of tax fraud and facing scrutiny for his business dealings in Ukraine and China, Hunter Biden has been passing time in a mansion where he is paying about $20,000 a month.
The mansion “features a ‘spacious park-like yard’ with a pool, a spa, a built-in barbecue bar, and alfresco dining,” reported ABC.
The White House referred the network to the Secret Service for comment. “Due to the need to maintain operational security, the ?US Secret Service does not comment on the means, methods, or resources used to conduct our protective operations,” the agency responded.