In Trumpland, No One is Untouchable – Not Even the Prince of Darkness | Political News

A subtle cue – one that could easily be misinterpreted – nonetheless stirred unease among certain government officials at a time when confidence in the strength of UK-US political ties is less than overwhelming.

On Sunday, the British Embassy in Washington hosted an event for members of the incoming Trump administration: an opportunity to foster goodwill among supporters of the 47th president as they prepared to gather in the nation’s capital.

Organisers aimed to attract a guest of significant value: not a celebrity or a member of the Trump cabinet, but someone who was poised to become the most influential presence at the event within hours – Susie Wiles, Donald Trump’s chief of staff and experienced political consultant.

Recognized for bringing a level of professionalism to Trump 2.0 that was missing in 2016 and 2017, Wiles is so trusted by Trump that he invited her to speak during his victory speech on election day last November. True to form, she chose to avoid the spotlight.

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There are numerous valid and understandable reasons for Wiles’ absence from the British embassy gathering just hours before her boss took the oath of office and returned to the White House.

According to the embassy, she was drafting the president’s speech for the following day.

However, her absence was still a source of disappointment on both sides of the Atlantic. It seems to highlight a growing sense of insecurity as the special relationship undergoes scrutiny at a challenging juncture.

As Trump 2.0 returns to the global arena, statements from Keir Starmer and David Lammy might superficially appear optimistic about US-UK relations.

In comments released on Sunday night, the Prime Minister spoke of a shared historical struggle against common foes and the importance of enhancing the special relationship. Yet, behind the curtains, there is considerably less assurance that everything is as it should be – and we soon may confirm this.

Nowhere will this uncertainty be tested more vigorously and swiftly than regarding the White House’s, Trump allies’, and Trump’s own stance toward Lord Peter Mandelson – the individual Downing Street envisions as the next British ambassador to Washington.

Sometime in February, Lord Mandelson – infamously dubbed the Prince of Darkness from his tenure as a New Labour spin doctor – will travel to Washington to present his credentials to the new president, a necessary step before officially assuming his role.

However, in reality, it is unclear what will transpire then: whether he will be welcomed, and if Lord Mandelson will be able to proceed with the duties assigned to him by Starmer.

In London on Sunday, government officials began claiming that the rumor about his application to take up residence at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue could be declined was merely “bar room gossip”.

Yet, it’s not just that.

In some government circles, it is regarded as a direct and imminent concern. A significant diplomatic push over the upcoming weeks will occur to secure Lord Mandelson’s position. The stakes are elevated due to Number 10’s approach to this nomination.

The core elements of our relationship with the US – shared history, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, as well as our military and diplomatic cooperation – suggest that the special relationship will likely endure regardless of how Trump’s second term unfolds.

However, the political connections between the Labour Party and Republicans sympathetic to Trump are significantly strained and have recently deteriorated further, as confirmed by several sources – and much of this will likely influence how Trumpland interacts with Lord Mandelson in the upcoming weeks.

Some among Trump’s inner circle have expressed that the new president is inclined to deny Mandelson’s credentials based on two factors: previous criticisms of Trump himself, and his connections to China and business dealings with a nation currently out of favor with the US.

This occurs against a backdrop of the first political appointment to Washington in decades.

This makes Lord Mandelson burdened with all the lingering controversies stemming from months of tension over Labour’s attempts to elevate Kamala Harris and the involvement of Starmer’s pollster Deborah Mattinson in the US during election season.

Yet, the manner in which Downing Street decided on Lord Mandelson’s appointment was just as problematic as the individual selected, according to sources.

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Long before the election, Labour indicated a preference for a political appointee to take over from Karen Pierce, the highly regarded incumbent.

Yet the months dragged on and Number 10 delayed the decision, allowing a vacuum filled by Ms. Pierce, who many viewed as campaigning to extend her tenure.

In Trumpland, she ensured her reputation as the most qualified candidate for the role, reportedly even gaining recognition from President Trump himself.

Washington acknowledged her effectiveness in cultivating this connection with the now-president as well.

The decision regarding Lord Mandelson was postponed until December, following a visit by Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, where it was made apparent he would assume the role in a matter of weeks.

This abruptly concluded Ms. Pierce’s tenure. Allies of the new president, who had been fond of Ms. Pierce, were taken aback. “Trumpland was horrified,” a source relayed. “They were saying we want you to stay.”

Stories of their dismay spread throughout Whitehall, with one insider in the Foreign Office suggesting they believe Lord Mandelson is “dead on arrival” unless significant efforts are made to reverse this situation.

Inside government, there is recognition that they underestimated the extent of anger among Trump allies, and the serious implications this could have for a Prime Minister who has unexpectedly made foreign policy a significant part of his role.

Currently, irritation is mutual. Whitehall insiders indicate that Number 10 is displeased with Ms. Pierce, blaming her for complicating Lord Mandelson’s position.

“They are suggesting Karen is ‘vindictive’ and should be cautious if she wants to receive an honor. It’s ridiculous. After 25 years of service, this is how it concludes? It’s upsetting – disrespectful,” they said.

Number 10 denies any conflict, on a day when Ms. Pierce represents the UK government alone during the inauguration. The Foreign Office asserts Ms. Pierce has consistently fulfilled her duties.

Regardless of the outcome, a substantial effort is underway to ensure Lord Mandelson secures his designated post.

Yet, all this revolves around a Labour figure who some argue is not as tightly connected to Sir Keir as many believe.

While he is well-regarded by chief of staff Mr. McSweeney, it has been suggested that Sir Keir has shown sporadic annoyance toward Lord Mandelson both leading up to the general election and throughout the autumn – even as the ambassador selection process was ongoing.

In a troubling parallel, there’s a precedent for Trumpland to expel a UK ambassador: Sir Kim Darroch faced de facto banishment during the prior presidency after critical correspondence was leaked.

Lord Mandelson will not make a similar misstep – he recently penned a flattering piece for Fox News, lauding Trump’s “straight-taking and deal-making.” He understands exactly what is expected of him.

The pressing question is how deep-rooted Trumpland’s resentment runs. The 47th president finds himself at the peak of his influence in the upcoming months, showing no signs of backing down, yet it remains unclear how many battles he wants to engage in at once.

Both Sir Keir and David Lammy are scheduled to travel to the US in the coming weeks, where ensuring a smooth transition for our representative in the US will be a key priority.

Nevertheless, the situation is anything but straightforward. The absence of Susie Wiles from Sunday’s event led some to speculate that she might be behind various briefings that surfaced in the Sunday papers. Much like all matters concerning Lord Mandelson, as well as everything else: certainty remains elusive in Trumpland – at least for now.