United States First Lady, Melania Trump, and her stepdaughter, Ivanka, have been assigned an all-female riot squad to protect them on a trip to Japan in a bid to make the country appear “more welcoming”.
A Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department officer in charge of the security plan to protect several female dignitaries said they had “opted for a more cultivated look to suit the occasion”. News.com.au understands the squad has been appointed to protect the Trumps in addition to the family’s usual security provided by the Secret Service.
Earlier this week the all-female security team carried out several drills, ahead of the Trumps’ arrival.
The female police unit, dressed in smart black suits with white button-down shirts, practised their moves in front of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace for the media on Wednesday, brushing up on defensive manoeuvres and drills, CNN reported.
As part of the training, a woman holding flowers pushed through a crowd to hand the gift to a female dignitary, as she walked past the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens in central Tokyo. The security team pounced on her immediately.
“Typically, by providing this sort of unit, law enforcement is trying to be respectful and not too intrusive,” explained CNN law enforcement analyst Jonathan Wackrow, a former agent with United States Secret Service who was assigned to the presidential protection unit. “They think it’s more welcoming to have an all-female crew, and it’s not uncommon.”
Presidential adviser to her father, Ivanka Trump, arrived in Japan yesterday where she will attend an international conference for the empowerment of women and related issues. It was expected she would be flanked by admirers gathered to catch a glimpse of her, News.com.au said.
Donald Trump and Melania are scheduled to arrive on November 5 and remain in the country for three days. It will mark his first official trip as president to Asia. The all-female security team deployed to protect Ivanka will also guard Melania. It’s not the first time they have protected US dignitaries. Former First Lady Michelle Obama was also protected by all-female units on several visits to Asian countries.
The Japanese unit used for the Trump’ visit was initially put together as part of preparation and training for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, which will be held in Tokyo.
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