White House Officials Ordered to Surrender Phones Amid Leak Investigation Over Qatar Presidential Plane Security Flaws
Senior White House officials close to President Donald Trump have been ordered by Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel to hand over their mobile phones as part of an intensive investigation into leaks within the administration. This dramatic demand aims to identify the source of unauthorized disclosures that have recently shaken the U.S. government.
The probe was launched after Trump expressed outrage over revelations of serious security vulnerabilities in a presidential plane gifted by Qatar, intended to serve as the official Air Force One. The exposure of these flaws caused a major uproar, prompting Wiles and Patel to personally lead a "war room" operation in the West Wing to trace the leak.
Investigators requested information and phones from individuals who accompanied or helped plan the president’s travels, but not all complied. In response, at least one federal agency issued an urgent email instructing employees to immediately contact agency lawyers if approached by external bodies seeking information or devices.
The White House’s direct involvement in law enforcement matters is seen as a significant encroachment on the traditional independence of the U.S. Department of Justice. The investigation has also led to subpoenas for four New York Times journalists who reported on the issue, drawing sharp criticism from press freedom organizations.
The controversy escalated when Trump unexpectedly announced the transfer of the $400 million Qatari plane to a U.S. military base in England, claiming it was to allow stationed troops to tour the aircraft. Despite his assurances that there were no security concerns, sources confirmed the president traveled on a more secure older plane due to revised security assessments.
Military officials described the Qatari plane as rushed into service without the full defensive systems standard on presidential aircraft. Meanwhile, development of the administration’s planned replacement planes is delayed, with completion expected only by 2028.
