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President Donald Trump was then forced to use small stairs to board Air Force One A “hunting stand” with sight lines to the presidential plane was discovered By law enforcement at Palm Beach International Airport.
The plane’s alternate entrance extends into the belly of Air Force One instead of an 18-foot ladder attached to the plane’s overhead door – which is Traditionally used by the Commander-in-ChiefThis decision was taken due to “Security measures increased” A White House official said Fox News.
An FBI investigation has been launched following the Secret Service discovery, Director Kash Patel confirmed.
“Prior to the President’s return to West Palm Beach, the USSS discovered an overgrown hunting stand within visual line of sight of the Air Force One landing zone,” Patel said in a statement. Independent.
Patel said no one was present at the scene, or connected to the search, but additional resources have been assigned to assist the agency’s investigation.
The photos show a tree structure, which is reportedly located near a spot where Trump is known to welcome and talk to reporters. An anonymous official told American Sun It appears the rig was placed there “months ago”.
The outlet reported that no ammunition was found near the scene.
USSS communications chief Anthony Guglielmi confirmed after Sunday’s incident that the organization is “working closely” with the FBI as well as law enforcement in Palm Beach County.
“While we are not able to provide details about the specific items or their intent, this incident underscores the importance of our layered security measures,” Guglielmi said in a statement. Independent.
No further updates on the investigation were available as of Monday.
Although the short stairs were used by Trump on Sunday as a security precaution against an attack, they were previously used by former President Joe Biden for a slightly different reason.
Biden began using short stairs more often in 2023 after several trips and falls, raising concerns about the aging president’s safety while boarding planes.
Using low, foldable stairs meant that much of Biden’s journey to the main floor of the plane took place inside, away from the cameras’ view.
At the time, the White House claimed that the staircase was selected due to other factors such as weather, safety, and availability. The Daily Beast.
Sunday’s incident is the latest in a series of breaches in the president’s security detail, stretching back to his election campaign last summer.
Tree stand discovered after a month Ryan Routh was convicted in Fort Pierce, Florida, of attempting to assassinate Trump last September while he was playing golf in West Palm Beach, just a few miles from the airport.
The most significant attempt on the president’s life occurred two months before that incident in July 2024, when Trump was shot after a gunman opened fire on him during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The President was escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents, although one civilian died.
Secret Service agents shot and killed the attacker, later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.