Washington Post reveals
President Donald Trump was secretly moved in an airport catering truck during his departure from Turkey last month as American officials responded to what was described as a credible threat linked to Iran, according to reports.
Trump had attended a NATO summit in Ankara and was publicly expected to leave Turkey aboard Air Force One. Instead, according to Reuters and other reports, he was discreetly transferred from the aircraft in a catering truck and taken to a smaller military C-32A aircraft. The unusual operation was reportedly designed to conceal the president’s movements and prevent a potential attack. Journalists and some members of the White House team were reportedly left believing that Trump remained aboard the visible aircraft, which continued toward Britain as part of the deception. The security operation came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Earlier reports had said US intelligence indicated a credible threat involving Iranian proxy groups, prompting the Secret Service to alter Trump’s travel arrangements.
The White House has defended the extraordinary security measures, saying that protecting the president requires precautions when credible threats emerge. The Pentagon has not publicly provided detailed information about the operation.
The episode highlights the growing security concerns surrounding Trump as tensions with Iran continue and demonstrates the lengths to which US authorities are prepared to go to protect the president from potential attacks.
32
