According to CBS News, two members of U.S. President Donald Trump‘s cabinet remained on a decoy plane from which Trump secretly exited last month before boarding a military aircraft in Turkey.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained on board the plane, which was considered Air Force One, and did not fly with Trump due to security concerns related to Iran.
After Trump boarded Air Force One on July 8 with both officials and press representatives, he was secretly transported across the airport in a catering truck before boarding a military aircraft. The designation Air Force One applies to any aircraft carrying the president, but in this case, the initial plane retained the presidential call sign, turning it into a decoy aircraft.
Reason for staying on board: order of succession
According to CBS, the American partner of the BBC, Rubio and Bessent remained on the first plane to ensure the order of succession was maintained in case something happened to Trump.
In the event of the president’s death or incapacitation, presidential powers would be transferred to Vice President Jay Dee Vance. Next in line are the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate. Following them are the Secretary of State and then the Secretary of the Treasury.
Among others who remained on the initial plane, which retained the Air Force One call sign, were Deputy Chief of Staff of the White House Steven Miller and Director of Communications of the White House Steven Cheng. The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.
Source: BBC World
