Can a foreign president decline to have secret service personnel when visiting the US?

Answer 1

Yes a Foreign leader an request no US security detail. They can always request this. The US government is always responsible for their safety and well being while they are in US territories. They usually maintain their own close security detail and this is supplemented by one of many US Federal policing agencies. The secret service maintains several units specifically for this task, as do the FBI and in Washington DC the Capital police maintain a uniform presence and help provide safe motorcade routes and other security requirements as requested. This service is provided to any and all UN members visiting the US free of charge and without regard to political climate. There have been instances where eastern bloc leaders, certain hostile Middle East leaders and others who do not want a US security detail anywhere near them, this perhaps is out of a fear of spies or even a lack of trust. The last thing we would like to have happen is any foreign leader to be accosted or even killed while here in the US. Thus far all of the visiting leaders have had safe trips and returned home unscathed and this is credited to all of the various police agencies who have provided the particular security needs for each visit.