Schumer Demands Senate Briefing After Trump's Reported Secret Evacuation From Turkey

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is demanding answers after reports surfaced that President Donald Trump was secretly evacuated from Turkey amid security concerns tied to Iran. On Tuesday, Schumer called for an immediate Senate briefing, saying Congress was kept in the dark about a serious threat.

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 didn't stop there. He also took aim at 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."

Kelly, Pritzker Slam Trump Over Secret Plane Switch

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) also weighed in, criticizing Trump over his reported secret switch from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft amid the alleged Iranian threat.

Kelly, a former astronaut and Navy pilot, didn't mince words: "Cowards look out for themselves. Leaders look out for their people."

Pritzker, in a CNN interview, said Trump "put people in harm's way to save himself."

Trump Secretly Switched Aircraft

Here's what reportedly happened: Trump was leaving Ankara after the NATO summit when intelligence indicated a credible Iranian assassination threat. Instead of boarding Air Force One as usual, he was secretly moved to a smaller Air Force C-32A. Meanwhile, journalists and some White House staff unknowingly remained aboard Air Force One, essentially serving as decoys while Trump traveled separately.

Trump later described the flight as "dangerous" and said 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 MarketDash editors.