Washington: US President Donald Trump has sought to play down controversy surrounding a secret aircraft switch during his recent trip to Turkey, after reports revealed that he was quietly moved from Air Force One while journalists and senior officials remained aboard what effectively became a decoy aircraft.
The unusual security operation took place after the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, amid concerns about a possible threat to the president. Trump has now confirmed that the decision to move him to another aircraft was made by the US Secret Service and military officials, but his explanation has done little to end criticism over why other people travelling with him were not informed about the danger.
Why was Trump moved from Air Force One?
According to reports, US security officials had received information about a potential threat, reportedly connected to Iran, following Trump’s NATO-related trip to Turkey.
Instead of allowing Trump to leave Turkey aboard the aircraft publicly identified as Air Force One, security officials arranged a covert change of aircraft.
Trump was reportedly taken away from the presidential plane using an airport catering vehicle. He was then transported to another government aircraft, which carried him away from the area.
Meanwhile, the original Air Force One continued to operate as though the president were still aboard. Journalists, White House personnel and other officials remained on the aircraft and were apparently unaware that Trump had already been moved.
Air Force One became a decoy
The most controversial aspect of the incident is that the presidential aircraft continued its journey with people aboard even though Trump was no longer on it.
The aircraft therefore served as a decoy, potentially misleading anyone monitoring the president’s movements.
Reports say the operation was designed to make it difficult for a potential attacker to determine which aircraft was actually carrying Trump.
After the security operation, Trump later returned to the aircraft before continuing his journey.
Trump says he faced the greater danger
Trump has defended the operation by arguing that the aircraft he travelled on after leaving Air Force One was actually exposed to greater danger.
Speaking about the incident, Trump said the decision was not primarily his and that security officials wanted him moved to another aircraft.
His comments appeared intended to counter criticism that the people left aboard the original Air Force One had been placed at unnecessary risk.
Trump’s account was that the Secret Service and military authorities were acting to protect him from a potentially serious threat.
Why are journalists and Democrats angry?
The revelation has generated significant criticism, particularly because journalists travelling with the president were not told that he had secretly left the aircraft.
The White House press corps normally travels with the president because journalists are expected to document presidential movements and provide independent reporting.
Critics argue that keeping reporters unaware of the security situation raises questions about both their safety and the administration’s relationship with the press.
Democrats have called for a congressional briefing to establish what threat intelligence prompted the operation, who authorised the deception and why people aboard the decoy aircraft were not informed.
