Trump Excluded from Situation Room During Iran Pilot Rescue Operation Amidst Outbursts
When two American pilots went missing in Iran after an F-15 was shot down, President Trump reportedly “screamed at aides for hours,” fearing a repeat of past foreign policy failures. Aides, believing his impatience would be unhelpful, kept him “out of the room” during minute-by-minute rescue updates, though he was informed at critical junctures. The rescue of the second airman, achieved partly through CIA deception, was announced to the president after more than 24 hours. Subsequently, Trump made alarming public statements threatening Iran, which were later explained by advisers as a deliberate attempt to appear erratic.
John Q. Hosedrinker