Trump Air Force One deception under scrutiny after passengers allegedly used as ‘decoy’

Democrats are demanding a congressional briefing after US President Donald Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to another aircraft amid an alleged Iranian threat, while reporters and White House staff remained on the presidential plane.

The operation, first reported by the Washington Post and also detailed by the New York Times, took place during Trump's return from a Nato summit last month.

Trump reportedly boarded Air Force One before secretly leaving through a side door and transferring to an Air Force C-32A.

More than 100 aides, officials and journalists remained aboard the original aircraft without being told about the alleged threat.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told CNN the operation was “unprecedented and surreal” and “downright scary”.

“I want to know what precautions were taken to make sure that all of the passengers on that Air Force One, which was judged too dangerous for the president to fly on, what precautions were taken to keep the staff and reporters on that plane safe?” he said.

The White House has not confirmed details of the operation. Communications director Steven Cheung told the Washington Post that officials used “every tool at our disposal” to protect Trump.

Trump later appeared to acknowledge security concerns when asked why reporters had been ordered to close their window shades.

“You’re probably on a dangerous flight. But if I go, you go. Right?” Trump said.