Before the Winter Olympics
Trump’s deputy lands in Milan – and triggers protests
Updated February 5, 2026 – 1:15 p.mReading time: 1 min.
There are also a lot of political celebrities at the opening of the Olympic Games. Donald Trump’s deputy is one of the first to land. This triggers protests.
US Vice President JD Vance was one of the first state guests from around the world to arrive at the venue for the Winter Olympics. President Donald Trump’s deputy landed in Milan in the morning on the special Air Force Two plane. Like the rest of the games, his visit will take place under strict security precautions.
What caused trouble before the Olympics was that the large US delegation also included officials from the ICE immigration agency. Vance will take part in the central opening ceremony at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on Friday evening along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Italy’s financial and economic metropolis is hosting the games together with Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites. According to media reports, the US vice president will be in Italy until Monday. During a visit to Rome a few months ago, the extensive security precautions for Vance also caused displeasure.
There was new trouble this time because ICE officers were also there to protect US officials. The immigration authorities have been criticized for their sometimes brutal actions against migrants, in which two people were shot in the city of Minneapolis. The government in Rome has repeatedly assured that only Italian security forces will be deployed to protect public order during the games. At one demonstration, posters such as “No Ice in Milano” could be seen. A total of more than 6,000 security forces are on duty.
