United States President Donald Trump (File Image)
Photo : AP
United States President Donald Trump will arrive in Britain on Tuesday for his unprecedented second state visit. This is the first time any world leader received the honor of a second state visit, and the first time the invitation was delivered in a personal letter from the king, which Trump proudly displayed for TV cameras.
Six years ago, Britain sought Trump’s support as it prepared to leave the European Union. This time the U.K. is lobbying for favorable trade terms and help in combating Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The authorities said that they preparing the biggest protective security operation since the 2023 coronation of King Charles III for President Trump’s state visit, according to a report by the New York Times. The British Police said that they have planned for “every eventuality,” according to a Reuters report.
“I’m very content that we have planned a very comprehensive policing and security operation that has taken into consideration just about every eventuality of what could happen,” Assistant Chief Constable Christian Bunt of Thames Valley Police told reporters, as quoted by Reuters.
The British authorities have deployed drones, snipers, mounted police and boat teams in the River Thames. According to experts, any foreign head of state’s visit demands significant preparations, the authorities are cautious due to the recent shooting in Utah in which right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was killed, and the attempted assassination attempt of Trump last year in Pennsylvania.
The officials are ensuring that no position from where a “shot could be taken” was left open, Simon Morgan, a former Metropolitan Police royalty protection officer told the NYT. “They will be seeking to control every aspect of the space, both in terms of on the ground and in the air,” said Morgan.