On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanded an immediate Senate briefing after reports that President Donald Trump was secretly evacuated from Turkey amid security concerns linked to Iran.
Schumer Demands Senate Briefing
In a post on X, Schumer said, "The Senate should be immediately briefed on the Iranian threats against the President, the extraordinary measures taken to get him out of Turkey, any risks posed to U.S. personnel, and any threat to the homeland."
"It is unacceptable that Congress was kept in the dark and instead learned about this serious threat through press reports," he added.
Schumer also criticized Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, accusing the president of putting Americans "in harm’s way" by entering what he called an "unnecessary and reckless war."
He argued that Congress must "reassert its constitutional authority and bring this conflict to an end," while accusing Republicans of prioritizing "Trump’s luxury and vanity over America’s security."
The Senate should be immediately briefed on the Iranian threats against the President, the extraordinary measures taken to get him out of Turkey, any risks posed to U.S. personnel, and any threat to the homeland.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 11, 2026
It is unacceptable that Congress was kept in the dark and instead… https://t.co/VI2P7lzJSK
Kelly, Pritzker Slam Trump Over Secret Plane Switch
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) criticized President Trump over his reported secret switch from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft amid an alleged Iranian threat.
Kelly said, "Cowards look out for themselves. Leaders look out for their people."
The White House decided there was a threat so great that Donald Trump was secretly moved to another plane but they never told the passengers on Air Force One. Cowards look out for themselves. Leaders look out for their people.https://t.co/BcIYJEkrXb
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) August 12, 2026
In CNN interview, Pritzker said Trump "put people in harm’s way to save himself."
Gov. JB Pritzker says Trump put WH staffers and reporters at risk by secretly moving from Air Force One to a smaller military plane as he faced a threat from Iran: "He put people in harm’s way to save himself. That’s who Donald Trump is." pic.twitter.com/kIGD7HRY3J
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) August 12, 2026
Trump Secretly Switched Aircraft
The President reportedly secretly switched from Air Force One to a smaller Air Force C-32A while leaving Ankara amid a credible Iranian assassination threat during the NATO summit.
Reportedly, journalists and some White House staff unknowingly remained aboard Air Force One as decoys, while Trump traveled separately.
Trump later said the flight was "dangerous" and that he was under threat "all the time."
Trump, Iran Trade Demands
On Monday, Trump demanded compensation from Iran for deaths and injuries, saying it would be included in "any, and all, future negotiations."
Iran had similarly demanded compensation, an end to sanctions and military threats, and removal of the U.S. blockade before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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