New York Times Photographer: Trump Used Us as a decoy
Doug Mills, a veteran New York Times photographer traveling with the presidential press corps, described an unusual security maneuver during President Donald Trump’s return from Turkey as “alarming.”
According to the account, Trump was quietly moved from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft without the journalists and some White House personnel traveling with him being told about the change. Air Force One then continued on its route, creating the impression that the president remained aboard.
Mills said those left on the original aircraft only learned afterward what had happened, effectively making their flight part of a decoy operation. The secrecy surrounding the transfer and the fact that passengers were unaware of their role raised concerns about the extraordinary security precautions taken during the president’s journey home.