Secret Service Director Sean Curran confirmed in an interview with 60 Minutes that the agency has previously used decoy aircraft to transport President Donald Trump as part of security protocols. The revelation came after reports emerged that Trump was secretly moved onto a decoy plane during a July trip to Turkey.
Curran stated in the interview, which aired on CBS on Friday, that the tactic was not unprecedented. “Look, that’s not the first time we’ve done that,” he said. “We wish that wasn’t reported, because that takes some of our tactics away from being able to do something similar again.” The comments were made in response to questions about the July incident, where Trump and three aides were transferred from Air Force One to a decoy aircraft while parked on the tarmac in Ankara, Turkey.
Security Protocol vs. Transparency Concerns
The Secret Service has long employed decoy flights as a measure to protect high-profile officials from potential threats. According to Curran, the tactic is designed to disrupt surveillance or targeting by adversaries who may attempt to track or intercept official aircraft. The agency’s preference for secrecy in such operations stems from the need to maintain the element of surprise in future deployments.
However, the disclosure has raised questions about accountability and transparency in security operations. Critics argue that the lack of prior public disclosure of such tactics could undermine public trust, particularly given the high-profile nature of the presidency. No additional details were provided regarding the frequency or circumstances of past decoy flights, including whether similar measures were used during other presidential trips.
Agency Stance on Operational Secrecy
Curran emphasized that the Secret Service’s ability to use decoy aircraft relies on operational secrecy, stating that public reporting of the tactic diminishes its effectiveness. “That takes some of our tactics away from being able to do something similar again,” he noted. The agency has not specified whether the July incident was part of a routine security drill or a response to a specific threat assessment.
The confirmation comes amid heightened scrutiny of presidential security protocols, with lawmakers and watchdog groups occasionally calling for greater transparency in high-risk operations. The Secret Service has not indicated whether it plans to adjust its disclosure policies in light of the recent revelation.