Two members of US President Donald Trump's cabinet, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, were on a decoy plane in Turkey last month. President Trump secretly exited this aircraft to board a different flight. This security measure was taken due to unspecified threats involving Iran, according to CBS News reports.
The incident occurred on July 8 when Trump initially boarded what was believed to be Air Force One with both officials and members of the press. He then clandestinely transferred to a military plane via a catering truck. The original aircraft, which kept the 'Air Force One' call signal, served as a decoy. Rubio and Bessent remained on board to ensure the line of succession was maintained. This protocol is crucial in the event of a presidential incapacitation or death, where the Secretary of State and Treasury Secretary are next in line after the Vice-President, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
This event highlights the intricate security protocols employed during high-risk presidential travel. Such ruses, often called 'shell games' by Secret Service personnel, are common. They include switching positions of identical armored limousines or using decoy aircraft. These measures are particularly elaborate during international trips where threats are heightened. The broader context of presidential security involves constant assessment of potential dangers and the implementation of strategies to mitigate them, ensuring the continuity of government.
Speaking to reporters, President Trump attributed the decision to undertake this deception to the US military and the Secret Service. He stated they 'wanted me to go in a different flight' due to numerous threats he receives. Multiple US outlets reported that the threat involved a shoulder-mounted missile launcher and concerns that Iranian intelligence knew Trump's exact whereabouts, including his hotel floor. The New York Times, citing unnamed officials, mentioned a sighting of a portable surface-to-air missile near the NATO conference in the Turkish capital.
The implications of such operations extend to the transparency of presidential movements and press coverage. Members of the press on the decoy plane were unaware of the deception. The White House Correspondent's Association has raised concerns about maintaining independent press coverage and an accurate historical record. Association president Jacqui Heinrich met with Trump administration officials to advocate for a protocol for handling extraordinary security circumstances in the future. This incident underscores the tension between national security imperatives and the public's right to information, particularly regarding the movements of a head of state.
Past precedents exist for such elaborate security measures. In March 2000, then-President Bill Clinton flew to Islamabad, Pakistan, on an unmarked executive jet after a decoy jet with Air Force One livery landed first. White House officials briefed reporters on the security arrangements ahead of that trip. The current incident raises questions about the safety of those on the decoy plane, including cabinet secretaries, staff, and the press pool, given the nature of the reported threat. The White House has not yet commented on the BBC's request for information regarding this specific event.