Trump's secret plane switch sparks debate over missile 'decoy' passengers

Ethical questions have surfaced regarding a U.S. Secret Service maneuver that allegedly used a plane carrying journalists as a "decoy" to counter a reported Iranian threat against Air Force One. The Washington Post reported that President Donald Trump secretly disembarked the aircraft and entered an airport catering truck shortly after he was filmed boarding in Turkey in July. This move followed intelligence from Israel about an Iranian plot to target the presidential plane with shoulder-fired missiles, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The plane then departed Turkey, which borders Iran, with media members and some White House staff who had been in Ankara for a NATO summit. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also remained on the decoy plane, an unnamed U.S. official told the Journal.

“

Everyone on that plane was a decoy. If they felt that it was unsafe to be on the plane, then it was unsafe for everybody else to be on the plane as well.

"Everyone on that plane was a decoy," said David Axelrod, a political analyst and Democratic strategist, in comments to CNN. "If they felt that it was unsafe to be on the plane, then it was unsafe for everybody else to be on the plane as well."

The White House has not disputed the reports. Responding to The Post, a statement said: "As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats." President Trump has not yet commented. Rubio avoided a reporter's question about the operation.

“

As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal to address those threats.

Ned Price, a State Department advisor during the Biden administration, acknowledged that "subterfuge is sometimes a necessary safeguard" in presidential travel. However, he added, "Misleading reporters in the moment and, worse yet, continuing to lie to the American people weeks later is never acceptable." He noted that such actions appeared unique to the Trump White House.

“

But misleading reporters in the moment and, worse yet, continuing to lie to the American people weeks later is never acceptable.

Robert McDonald, a protective travel expert at the University of New Haven and former Secret Service agent, stated that using "backup planes" for presidential protection is common. He explained that such decoy planes would also be heavily secured, with numerous assets from the U.S. Air Force and allied forces providing protection. "Nobody let the press dangle out there or the other members of the White House staff. They were all part of that plan," he told Reuters.

Trump had initially flown to Ankara on a new Air Force One gifted by Qatar, marking its first international presidential trip. However, at the NATO summit, he announced his departure on an older Air Force One "for old time's sake." Reports later indicated the newer plane lacked certain capabilities.

“

As far as I know, it's unique to this White House.