Democrats push for inquiry into Trump's secret transfer from Air Force One during NATO trip

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump secretly left Air Force One for a smaller military aircraft on his return from a NATO summit, leaving more than 100 staff, aides and journalists aboard the larger plane, according to a Washington official briefed on the episode. The official said intelligence reports during the flight from Turkey indicated a possible Iranian attack plan targeting the aircraft. After boarding Air Force One in the usual fashion to draw media attention, Trump was moved out through the rear door in a food service truck and transferred to a smaller C-32A military plane, the official said. Reporters aboard Air Force One were told to close their window shades; Trump informed them it was a potentially dangerous flight and that if he left, they would too. Former White House communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin said Trump was sent to the White House shelter during his first term and quickly returned to show he was not afraid. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the transfer, saying journalists and staff were left as targets while the president ensured his own safety. Democratic lawmakers have called for a congressional investigation and hearings into the incident. Senator Richard Blumenthal described the episode to CNN as "unprecedented, surreal and extremely alarming." No further details on the requested proceedings were immediately available.