Why taxpayers are footing the bill for security costs

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• Taxpayers are footing the bill for security costs during Donald Trump Jr.’s visit to Zurich last Thursday.
• Although the event at the Zunfthaus zur Saffran was a private business meeting, Fedpol justifies the operation by citing the need to protect “Switzerland’s reputation.”
• The Federal Police has not disclosed how much the operation cost.

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During Donald Trump Jr.’s visit to Zurich last Thursday, streets were closed and hundreds of police officers were deployed. Taxpayers will have to foot the bill, as reported by the “Tages-Anzeiger.”

According to the report, the Zurich City Police confirmed that it had received the order from the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) and had merely acted as the executing authority. “As is customary in such cases, we bill the entire police operation to Fedpol,” a spokesperson said. This means that taxpayers throughout Switzerland will bear the costs.

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“So that Switzerland’s reputation is not damaged”

However, the meeting at the Zunfthaus zur Saffran was a purely private business gathering. So why should the public foot the bill? Fedpol cites an exception that allows for the protection of individuals without international legal status, “whose protection is necessary, however, to ensure that Switzerland’s reputation is not damaged.”

The Federal Police does not provide a rationale for this assessment. A spokeswoman simply states that “for tactical reasons,” they do not comment on “situation assessments and security measures.” The authorities are also keeping quiet about the amount of the costs.

The operation will, however, have political repercussions in Zurich. Three SP city council members have submitted a motion aimed, among other things, at ensuring transparency regarding the costs of the operation.