Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Secret Service Swaps Trump to Jet After Threat Dismissed

8/14/2026

37 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Secret Service moved U.S. President Donald Trump from Air Force One to a jet after an Iranian threat from Israel was dismissed and kept the warning secret.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stayed on the decoy, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the jet with President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump said he followed Secret Service advice because the plane he left was riskier.

History

Historical Context

The 1979–1981 Iranian hostage crisis began after Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled Iran and resulted in American diplomats being held. That episode led the Secret Service, under Director James J. Rowley, to adopt an emergency plan rerouting Air Force One, a protocol later used when President Donald Trump was moved to a backup jet amid an Iranian threat.

1 of 2

Story summary

The Secret Service moved U.S. President Donald Trump from Air Force One to a jet after an Iranian threat from Israel was dismissed and kept the warning secret.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stayed on the decoy, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the jet with President Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump said he followed Secret Service advice because the plane he left was riskier.

1 / 2