Senior police chiefs are raising the alarm over the monumental security operation that would be required for a potential state visit by Donald Trump, warning of immense logistical challenges and a multi-million pound bill for the British taxpayer.
The stark warnings come as the former US President remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 election, making a return to the White House—and a subsequent invitation for a formal UK visit—a distinct possibility.
A Logistical & Financial Nightmare
According to a senior policing source, the operation would be "unprecedented in its complexity and cost." The need to manage both the protection of a highly divisive world leader and facilitate the right to protest for hundreds of thousands of expected demonstrators would stretch forces to their limit.
The final bill for the last Trump visit in 2019 soared to nearly £25 million, a figure that experts fear would be eclipsed given today's heightened political tensions and security landscape.
Political Pressure and Diplomatic Protocol
The issue places the UK government in a delicate position. Diplomatic protocol would almost certainly dictate offering a state visit to a sitting US president. However, such a move would be met with fierce political and public opposition, creating a significant headache for Downing Street.
Security assessments are already believed to be underway informally, with officials keen to avoid the chaotic scenes that marred the 2018 working visit, which saw large-scale protests and the infamous Trump Baby blimp flying over Parliament.
The Metropolitan Police, who would bear the brunt of the operation, have declined to comment on hypothetical scenarios but acknowledge that planning for any major event of this nature begins well in advance.
For now, the UK's police forces and government watch the US political arena with bated breath, aware that the outcome of the 2024 vote could trigger one of the most demanding and controversial security operations in recent British history.
