What Did Trump Say About Potential Threats To Air Force One From Iran?
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump was asked by a reporter if the switching of plans was tied to the reignited conflict with Iran; the president simply said, “I’m number one on the kill list for Iran.” Later, while flying on board the jet, from the U.K. to Joint Base Andrews, Trump was asked again if he was aware of “any credible threat by Iran to Air Force One?” The president told the reporter, “Well, I have a threat all the time. I’m number one on their list, before you. But if I go, you go…Perhaps someday you want to change professions.” At the start of the press gaggle onboard the plane, the president told the reporters: “It was a long walk to you. It’s about three times the walk we used to take, right? I hope you like it.”
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News Peg
According to the New York Times, the switch in jet was prompted by advice from the Secret Service. Citing unnamed sources briefed on the Qatari jet’s capabilities, the report said it lacks all the features of the older Air Force One. The report noted that the change of planes was a precautionary measure urged by the Secret Service rather than any specific threat from Iran.
chief critic
Former Biden Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall also told MS NOW last week it’s likely the typical Air Force One security standards for the plane were lowered since it usually takes years and billions of dollars to turn an aircraft into an Air Force One plane, noting he questions whether it has the specific command and control capabilities and “protective measures that Air Force Ones have against different types of threats that might be employed against the aircraft.”
Contra
An unnamed senior Trump administration official insisted to MS NOW “there were no shortcuts taken” to secure the plane and it “went through the same safety protocols that every Air Force One has gone through in accordance with FAA standards, and it is an FAA-certified aircraft.” An Air Force spokesperson said, “we are confident the aircraft is safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission. To accelerate delivery, we prioritized critical mission requirements over aesthetics.”
Tangent
Trump said the U.S. would “probably” strike Iran again Wednesday night after saying earlier in the day the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. was “over” and calling ongoing negotiations between the two sides a “waste of time.”
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Key Background
The Trump administration accepted the gifted plane in May last year and Trump took his inaugural flight on the plane last week when he traveled to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The Air Force has said it spent less than $400 million on security upgrades to the plane, though some experts have estimated the cost is likely closer to $1 billion. The jet is intended to serve as a “bridge” aircraft used temporarily by Trump while Boeing builds two new custom planes that are years behind schedule. The gift has drawn widespread conflict-of-interest concerns, though Trump has claimed it was purely a gift that Qatar seeks nothing in return for. He intends for it to go to his presidential library in Miami after leaving office, though it’s unclear if Trump has the authority to determine its fate.
further reading
Trump Threatens Fresh Iran Strikes After Declaring Ceasefire ‘Over’ (Forbes)
Trump Said Gifted Qatari Jet Was ‘Free’—But Renovation Cost Could Reportedly Near $1 Billion (Forbes)
Republicans Question Trump’s Plan To Accept Luxury Plane Gift From Qatar (Forbes)
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