Trump addresses fatal accident involving U.S. diplomat's wife, says he gets Britain's 'anger' but 'it happens'


In a phone call Wednesday, British Prime Minster Boris Johnson raised with President Trump the case of an American diplomat's wife who fled Britain, claiming diplomatic immunity, after a fatal Aug. 27 accident in which 19-year-old Harry Dunn was killed. "The prime minister urged the president to reconsider the U.S. position so the individual involved can return to the U.K., cooperate with police, and allow Harry's family to receive justice," Johnson's office said in a summary of the call, adding that the two "leaders agreed to work together to find a way forward as soon as possible."
Trump commented on the incident at a press conference later Wednesday. He did not name the woman, Anne Sacoolas, but said that he understands "the anger from the other side" but diplomatic immunity is "a complex issue," and "we are going to speak to her very shortly and see if we can do something" so "there can be healing." What happened was "a terrible accident," Trump added. "The woman was driving on the wrong side of the road. And that can happen. You know, those are the opposite roads. That happens. I won't say it ever happened to me, but it did."
"When you get used to driving on our system and then you're all of a sudden on the other system where you're driving, it happens," Trump said. "You have to be careful." Dunn's parents, who recently met with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, said they plan to start a civil action against Sacoolas.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
October 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released
The Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats