Several senior members of US President Donald Trump’s administration remained aboard a plane that was being used as a decoy after Trump was secretly moved to another aircraft during his departure from Turkey.
The unusual security operation took place following the NATO summit in Ankara last month. Trump was reportedly transferred from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft after US authorities received information about a possible threat against him.
Trump confirmed the secret aircraft switch on Wednesday, saying he followed instructions from the US Secret Service and military officials.
Among those who remained on the original aircraft were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to reports. Other senior officials, staff members and journalists also remained on board.
Trump, meanwhile, travelled on the alternative aircraft with a small group of close aides. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was also reported to have joined the president in the aircraft switch.
The operation was reportedly carried out secretly because of concerns that the original aircraft could have been targeted. Air Force One continued its journey separately, creating the appearance that Trump was still aboard.
Trump later defended the decision, saying the Secret Service had advised him to change aircraft and that he followed their instructions.
The revelation has sparked questions about the unusual security operation, particularly because senior officials and members of the press were unaware that the president had secretly left the aircraft.
The White House has faced growing scrutiny over the decision as more details emerge about the threat and the measures taken to protect the president.
The incident has also raised questions about how security decisions are made when protecting the president while other senior officials and journalists are travelling on the same aircraft.
For now, officials have provided limited details about the specific threat that prompted the covert change of planes.
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