The Secret Service advised President Donald Trump to depart Turkey on the older Air Force One rather than the newly retrofitted plane gifted by Qatar due to security considerations amid rising tensions with Iran, according to multiple sources cited by ABC News. Trump stated that the change was not related to security concerns, mentioning that he is 'No. 1 on the kill list for Iran.'
The decision was not based on a specific threat but was influenced by the differing security capabilities of the two aircraft, as explained by U.S. officials. Mike Centrella, a former head of field operations for the Secret Service, emphasized the agency's cautious approach to presidential safety.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung noted that the new Air Force One is equipped with advanced security protocols. However, the speed of its retrofitting raised questions about its security measures compared to the older aircraft.
Passengers on the flight were instructed to keep their windows down, and the plane's tracker was activated only after it was over the Black Sea. Despite insisting there were no security issues, Trump suggested the window instructions were due to potential dangers associated with the flight.
Senate Democrats have requested transparency regarding the retrofitting project, expressing concerns about national security in light of the modifications made for Trump's use. The Air Force estimated the retrofitting cost at under $400 million, and the new plane is set to serve as Air Force One until just before Trump leaves office, after which it will be transferred to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation.