Washington in turmoil: Air Force One used by Trump on Turkey trip sparks security crisis

The new "Air Force One" aircraft used by US President Donald Trump during his visit to Turkey last week for the NATO Summit in Ankara has sparked a national security investigation that has effectively shaken Washington. The FBI has launched a wide-ranging investigation following the leak to the press regarding vulnerabilities in the military defense systems of the new presidential aircraft, which was gifted by Qatar. As part of the investigation, the phones of Secret Service agents have been seized, and subpoenas have been issued to journalists who reported on the leak.

RETURNED ON OLD AIRCRAFT AFTER SECURITY GAP DISCOVERED

The crisis was ignited by reports that the new Boeing 747-8 presidential aircraft, gifted to the US by Qatar, lacked certain critical military defense systems present on the existing Air Force One.

Trump had arrived at the NATO meeting in Turkey on this new aircraft. However, following the reports of the leak and the subsequent security concerns raised by the Secret Service, Trump was forced to make his return journey in a hurry on the old Air Force One aircraft.

The public disclosure of highly classified and sensitive details regarding the presidential aircraft's security infrastructure has put the White House on high alert.

FBI DIRECTOR PERSONALLY COORDINATING INVESTIGATION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Due to the magnitude of the leak, FBI Director Kash Patel has canceled all planned travel and begun coordinating the investigation directly from the White House.

As part of the investigation, the testimonies of numerous government officials and Secret Service personnel who participated in the Turkey trip are being taken, and some staff members have been asked to surrender their personal mobile phones.

Agency management has issued strict instructions to personnel to direct all requests from outside parties or investigative teams directly to agency lawyers.

SUBPOENAS FOR JOURNALISTS: "REVEAL YOUR NEWS SOURCE"

The investigation has not been limited to the government side and has pitted the American press against the Department of Justice:

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche personally approved and issued subpoenas for The New York Times reporters who broke the story, requiring them to testify before a grand jury. Blanche argued that their goal was not to punish the press, but to find the source of the leak that threatens national security.

The New York Times management has immediately filed a motion in court to have the subpoenas quashed, defending the journalists' right to protect their news sources.

News Source: 12punto