Presidential security protocols are more robust than for Cabinet, official says
Rubio and Bessent, the two most senior members of Trump’s Cabinet, remained on the larger aircraft that served as the decoy while Trump was relocated separately to the smaller military jet, according to the official, who was briefed on the situation. The disclosure, reported by AP writer Matthew Lee, adds another layer of detail to the public account of how Trump returned from the Ankara summit.
The official said Rubio was aware of the aircraft switch and of the Iranian threat behind it but “could or would not say” why the secretary of state had stayed on the larger plane. The official added that Bessent was “likely” aware of the arrangement but said the official did not have direct confirmation of the treasury secretary’s knowledge of the operation.
The official said security precautions for the president — who has been the target of several assassination attempts — are more robust than those for top members of the Cabinet.
MSI previously reported that Trump was transported inside a catering truck to avoid detection while an alternate aircraft was readied for his return flight, and that U.S. officials had determined a credible Iran threat led to the aircraft swap during the NATO summit in Turkey.