Trump publicly boarded the main Air Force One aircraft before reportedly being moved in an airport catering truck to a separate C-32A, which flew him to Britain
US intelligence officials reportedly had low confidence in warnings that Iran or its proxies were planning an attack on President Donald Trump as he left Turkey last month. Despite doubts over the intelligence, the US Secret Service carried out a covert operation to move Trump between aircraft as a precaution, per The Washington Post.
The unusual security operation took place on July 8, after Trump attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) summit in Ankara.
Israel shared warning with CIA
According to current and former US officials, who spoke to The Washington Post, Israeli security agencies alerted the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) about an alleged Iranian plot involving proxy groups and possible plans to use shoulder-fired missiles near Ankara.
However, CIA analysts reportedly assessed the intelligence as low confidence because it lacked independent confirmation from US sources.
US officials later collected additional intelligence but reportedly concluded that carrying out such an attack would have been extremely difficult because of the heavy security presence around Trump, involving Turkish authorities and US Secret Service personnel.
Some officials also questioned whether the intelligence was intended partly to influence US policy towards Iran.
Trump secretly switched aircraft
Despite the doubts, Secret Service officials decided to act cautiously and organised an elaborate deception at Ankara airport.
Trump was publicly seen boarding the main Boeing 747, allowing cameras and reporters to believe he would leave Turkey on that aircraft. He was then reportedly moved to a smaller C-32A military aircraft using an airport catering vehicle.
Trump departed aboard the C-32A with a small group of aides and was escorted by fighter jets towards RAF Mildenhall in Britain. The main presidential aircraft left separately, serving as a decoy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was reportedly briefed about both the intelligence warning and the aircraft switch. He nevertheless remained aboard the primary presidential aircraft.
Trump confirms plane switch
Trump later confirmed that his security team had arranged the change in aircraft.
“It’s really just up to Secret Service. I just follow what they like to do,” Trump said, adding that the agency had asked him to use a different plane.
The White House declined to discuss specific intelligence assessments but said the president continues to face serious threats and that the Secret Service takes every possible precaution to protect him.
The reported intelligence warning has not been publicly confirmed by either the CIA or Israeli authorities.
The CIA and the Israeli Embassy in Washington have so far made no public comments on the disclosure.
What do you think about this?
Drop your opinion in the comment section.
Share this with someone who needs to see this.