The Secret Service was said to have been a victim of rocketing property prices in the area.

Following revelations about the cost, there were calls for Hunter Biden to open up his home for the Secret Service agents to stay in part of it.

Craig Holman, of the Public Citizen pressure group, said: “Hunter should recognise the exorbitant cost of his own protection in the exclusive Malibu neighbourhood, and cooperate with the Secret Service to bring down the expenses.

“A cost of $30,000 a month for the Secret Service to rent a home in Malibu next to Hunter is an unconscionable burden to taxpayers, all for the personal benefit of Hunter Biden. Hunter should realise this and accommodate his security detail in his own home.”

Don Mihalek, a retired Secret Service agent, told ABC News: “Typically, wherever a protectee sets up their residence, the Secret Service is forced to find someplace to rent nearby at market value.

“The Service has had to do this in past administrations, and unfortunately, the housing market right now has driven the prices up substantially.

“Hunter’s out in Malibu, which is not a low-cost area. The Secret Service couldn’t have a command post in the next town over.”

Hunter Biden and other members of Joe Biden’s family started to receive 24-hour Secret Service protection when he became the Democrat presidential nominee in 2020.