Dulles

She and Burrus, the police officer traveling with her, hopped in a car provided by the White House and made the 45-mile trek to Dulles International Airport.

Bass has said that she was on the phone throughout the military flight from Accra to Dulles, and her staff has said she was actively involved in decision-making while abroad.

It is also smaller than other airports, such as nearby Dulles International Airport, with Mr Slack calling it a postage stamp.

As well as Washington National close to the city centre, he notes, there is the international gateway, Washington Dulles, and also Baltimore Airport a little further away.

The United Airlines flight carrying Bass back to Los Angeles pulled away from the gate at Washington Dulles International Airport.