Following the disruption caused to French President Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump’s motorcade once again halted world leaders, this time leaving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan waiting on the streets of New York during the UN General Assembly sessions.
Unlike Macron, who appeared more composed, Erdoğan looked visibly displeased as his security detail clashed verbally with New York police officers tasked with ensuring the safety of international delegations.
Eyewitnesses also reported that South Korean President Lee Jae-myung was seen waiting on the sidewalk with a serious expression, surrounded by his bodyguards, as Trump’s motorcade passed.
According to protocol, the U.S. Secret Service is required to give absolute priority to the American president’s security, even when other foreign leaders are involved. In this case, the matter was further amplified by Trump’s signature political slogan: “America First.”
The incident highlights once again the tense atmosphere surrounding security arrangements at the UN General Assembly, where the convergence of world leaders often causes logistical and diplomatic friction.
