Donald Trump’s UK visit: Americans warned to keep a low profile
US Embassy tells citizens in London that protests against the president could turn violent
American nationals have been told to be careful on the streets of London during planned demonstrations against Donald Trump later this week.
The US Embassy has told citizens to “keep a low profile” and “exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings that may become violent” on Friday.
The president’s first official visit to the UK is expected to be overshadowed by mass demonstrations, with more than 50,000 people signed up to take part in protests in the capital.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Owen Jones, a political commentator and activist involved in the London protest, criticised the embassy for suggesting that the march could turn violent.
“I hope Americans in Britain will join the protests against Donald Trump on Friday in their thousand,” he tweeted. “You are our friends and we will be proud to march with you.”
The commander-in-chief is due to meet the Queen at Windsor Castle and Theresa May at her country home in Chequers, before travelling north to Scotland. “He’ll be laying unusually low for a US president visiting Britain, thanks to the throngs of protests expected in central London,” says Quartz.
The planned demonstrations during Trump’s visit have triggered the biggest mobilisation of police officers since the 2011 riots, with officials warning that it will put “unquestionable pressure” on forces.
The bill for the trip is estimated to be more than £30m, “with the potential for a far greater tally if violence breaks out,” the Daily Mirror reports.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why are home insurance prices going up?
Today's Big Question Climate-driven weather events are raising insurers' costs
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'All too often, we get caught up in tunnel vision'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of legacy media failures
In the Spotlight From election criticism to continued layoffs, the media has had it rough in 2024
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'All too often, we get caught up in tunnel vision'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Does Trump have the power to end birthright citizenship?
Today's Big Question He couldn't do so easily, but it may be a battle he considers worth waging
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Elon Musk about to disrupt British politics?
Today's big question Mar-a-Lago talks between billionaire and Nigel Farage prompt calls for change on how political parties are funded
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will California's EV mandate survive Trump, SCOTUS challenge?
Today's Big Question The Golden State's climate goal faces big obstacles
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there's an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published