The episode triggered visible departures from standard departure procedures — including the repositioning of Air Force One and a near-collision among motorcycle escort units — though the U.S. Secret Service said the alternate routing was a precautionary measure in keeping with established protocol.
President Donald Trump’s motorcade took an alternate route to Palm Beach International Airport on Sunday after a suspicious object was discovered during pre-arrival security sweeps, the White House said.
“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The White House did not describe the object.
Trump, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”
Trump left his Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for what is normally a roughly 10-minute drive to the airport. The motorcade instead took a circular route around the city to reach Palm Beach International Airport.
During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade that at one point nearly collided with the vans accompanying the president.
Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from its usual position, with exterior lights turned off.
Anthony Guglielmi, spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken as a precaution. “That is standard protocol,” Guglielmi said.