President Trump's motorcade rerouted after 'suspicious device' found
by MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER · Mail OnlinePresident Donald Trump's motorcade had to be rerouted on Sunday after Secret Service agents discovered a 'suspicious device.'
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the news as the president made his way to Palm Beach International Airport.
'During advance sweeps of PBI Airport, a suspicious object was discovered by USSS,' she said.
'A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly.'
The motorcade then took an unusual route to the Palm Beach airport, making a circular route around town as police motorcycles raced along side.
The press vans were so close together that they almost crashed into each other during a slow down to make a turn, breaking hard to avoid a collision. The drivers of the press vans were instructed to 'keep it tight.'
Air Force One was then seen on the opposite side of the airport than it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were off as the motorcade arrived.
The president is now onboard Air Force One heading back to the White House, telling reporters on the way that the leaders of Iran are 'starting to' cross a red line as demonstrations throughout the country continue.
'These are violent leaders - I don't know if they're leaders or just, they rule through violence,' Trump said. 'But we're looking at it very seriously the military's looking at it and we're looking at very strong options.'
If Iran then tries to retaliate, Trump said, 'We'll hit them at levels they've never seen before, they won't even believe it.
'I've got options that are so strong,' he said.
Trump then added that he is getting hourly reports on the ongoing protests in the country, and is set to be briefed by top aides this week.
Top military and diplomatic staffers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, are anticipated to be present at the meeting, per the Wall Street Journal.
Protests within Iran have escalated since the New Year, and the regime, led by Ayatollah Khamenei, has sought to limit its citizens' access to the West by cutting off internet connection as well as telephone lines.
Protestors have, however, still been able to get information out of the country through the use of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite technology.
Trump has intensified his public statements since the protests began, warning Iranian authorities against using force and repeatedly expressing support for what he has described as a push for freedom.
'Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,' the president noted in a post to his Truth Social account, adding that 'the USA stands ready to help!!!'
The State Department has echoed a hardline tone, pointing to previous US actions against adversarial governments as evidence that Trump follows through on his warnings.
'Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he'll do something, he means it,' a recent social media post from the State Department read.
Back in June, Trump directed the US military to deploy a dozen 30,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs that 'obliterated' Iran's three largest nuclear facilities.
'The strikes were a spectacular military success,' Trump said in a late-night address to the nation from the White House the day after operation.
The US military joined forces with Israel to launch military strikes against Iran at the time using B-2 'bunker bomber' planes.
Trump later indicated that his decision to authorize the strikes was influenced by the possibility of renewed diplomatic engagement with Tehran.