What Happens When Ex-Presidents Reject Standard Protocols?

Former presidents bound by stringent rules have an out: sign a waiver to opt out of Secret Service protection. This shifts responsibility for their safety onto them, offering the freedom to choose no security or to hire private guards.

Some may choose to embrace this newfound freedom wholeheartedly, while others may opt to hire their own security detail, affording them a semblance of protection without sacrificing too much liberty. It’s a delicate balance between freedom and security, offering former presidents a choice in how they navigate life beyond the Oval Office.