Two senior members of US President Donald Trump’s cabinet remained aboard a plane used as a decoy after Trump was secretly moved to another aircraft in Turkey last month because of a reported security threat.
Rubio and Bessent stayed behind
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were among those who remained on the aircraft that continued to operate under the Air Force One call sign.
Trump had initially boarded the plane with the two officials and members of the press after the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8. He was then secretly transferred to a military aircraft after security officials reportedly warned of a possible threat.
Secret aircraft switch
Trump was reportedly moved from the presidential aircraft using a catering truck before being taken to a C-32A military aircraft.
The second aircraft transported Trump away from Ankara, while the original plane continued its journey with cabinet officials and journalists on board.
Trump later confirmed that the switch was ordered by the Secret Service and military.
“They wanted me to go in a different flight, different plane,” he told reporters, saying he followed their instructions because of the potential danger.
Officials maintained succession plan
According to CBS News, Rubio and Bessent remained aboard the first aircraft partly to preserve the presidential line of succession in the event Trump was killed or incapacitated.
Vice-President JD Vance is first in line after the president, followed by the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Secretary of State and Treasury Secretary follow in the succession order.
Other senior officials who reportedly remained on the original aircraft included White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and communications director Steven Cheung.
Hegseth flew with Trump
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was among the officials who travelled with Trump on the replacement aircraft.
The military plane, a modified Boeing 757 commonly used by senior US officials, flew Trump away from Turkey while the original aircraft maintained the appearance that the president was still aboard.
Security threat remains unclear
The exact nature of the threat that prompted the operation has not been publicly confirmed.
Trump has previously said he was the “number one” target for Iran and acknowledged that he receives frequent threats.
The US president said the decision to move him was made by the military and Secret Service, adding that he did not ask for extensive details about the threat.
The White House has not yet publicly provided further information about the security operation.
