Agencies | Newyork:
Two of US President Donald Trump’s senior Cabinet officials remained aboard a decoy aircraft while Trump was secretly transferred to another plane during his departure from Turkey last month, according to a report by CBS News.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were among the senior officials who stayed aboard the aircraft publicly identified as Air Force One, while Trump was discreetly moved to a separate military aircraft amid concerns over a possible Iranian attack.
The unusual security operation reportedly took place on July 8 after US intelligence agencies detected multiple indications of a potential threat involving the aircraft carrying the president.
Why Did Trump Switch Planes?
Trump initially boarded the older Air Force One in full view of cameras, accompanied by Rubio, Bessent and members of the media.
He was subsequently moved away from the aircraft in a catering vehicle and transferred to a separate military plane as part of an elaborate security deception intended to conceal his actual movements.
According to the CBS News report, US officials had received intelligence suggesting that an aircraft carrying Trump could potentially be targeted by a surface-to-air missile.
Another intelligence report reportedly indicated that an individual near the NATO summit venue had been seen with a shoulder-fired missile. US officials also believed Iranian operatives had information about Trump’s location in Ankara.
Trump later confirmed that he had switched aircraft on the advice of the Secret Service and military authorities, although he said he had not sought extensive details about the nature of the threat.
“I go by Secret Service and the military. They wanted me to go on a different flight, a different plane… I do what they say,” Trump said.
“I guess there was a threat out there. I didn’t really ask too much about it. I get a lot of threats,” he added.
Why Did Rubio and Bessent Remain Behind?
According to CBS News, Rubio and Bessent remained aboard the first aircraft as part of the broader presidential security arrangements and to maintain continuity within the US constitutional line of succession.
Under US law, Vice President JD Vance would assume presidential powers if Trump were to die or become incapacitated. The Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate follow in the succession order.
The Secretary of State is next in line after those officials, followed by the Treasury Secretary.
Keeping Rubio and Bessent aboard the decoy aircraft therefore ensured that senior officials in the presidential succession chain remained in place should the aircraft come under attack.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung were also among those who remained on the original aircraft.
Who Flew With Trump?
Trump’s replacement aircraft was reportedly an Air Force C-32A. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was also aboard the second aircraft.
Trump was accompanied by executive assistant Natalie Harp, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and Walt Nauta, who oversees operations in the Oval Office.
The first aircraft retained the Air Force One call sign even after Trump had secretly departed.
Technically, “Air Force One” refers to any US Air Force aircraft carrying the president. Once Trump transferred to the C-32A, that aircraft assumed the presidential designation, while the original plane effectively served as a decoy.
Elaborate Security Deception
The operation was designed to make it difficult for anyone monitoring Trump’s movements to determine which aircraft was actually carrying the president.
By allowing the publicly identified presidential aircraft to depart with several senior officials still aboard, US security agencies were able to obscure Trump’s actual location and flight path.
The reported operation highlights the extensive security measures surrounding the US president, particularly amid heightened tensions with Iran and concerns about potential threats against senior American officials.
The details of the aircraft switch emerged only after the event, underscoring the secrecy surrounding presidential travel when intelligence agencies identify a potential threat.
