- Retired Lt. Col. Robert 'Buzz' Patterson, who carried the nuclear 'football' for President Clinton, commented on the recent Air Force One shell game that was implemented to protect President Trump from a potential attack.
- Patterson described the procedure as 'brilliant' and stated, 'I wish I had been a part of it.'
- He expressed concern about the leak of this information, stating it 'scares the hell out of me' and called for prosecution of the leaker.
- Patterson noted that the escorting of presidential aircraft by fighter jets is customary, especially in high threat environments.
- He explained that decoys are routinely used in both motorcade routes and during international trips, stating, 'We do it all the time.'
- Patterson emphasized that the procedures in place are designed to protect the presidency and its members, regardless of who is in office.
Retired Lt. Col. Robert "Buzz" Patterson, who carried the nuclear 'football' for President Clinton, has voiced serious concerns over a recent leak regarding Air Force One's security protocols for President Trump. He described the leak as "incredibly dangerous" and suggested it likely came from someone within the security process.134
Patterson stated, "I hope that they prosecute this to the fullest," emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He noted that "there’s only a few people who actually know exactly what’s going down, and that’s by design." The retired officer explained that exposing such sensitive information could jeopardize not only current security measures but also future presidencies.
He elaborated on the security protocols, stating, "Yes, especially into war zones, we damn sure always do when we’re going to a theater of high threat." Patterson recalled similar measures taken during Clinton's presidency, asserting that these practices are standard and necessary for the safety of the president.57
Patterson warned that "if we were to expose everything, we would have to overhaul the entire security apparatus of the United States of America," which could put the presidency and its members in significant danger. He concluded by stating that the current security measures are designed to protect any president, not just Trump, and that "these programs are going to be in place for the foreseeable future."
“Patterson, who served under Clinton, said the Air Force One shell game was 'brilliant' and not unprecedented, noting decoys and fighter escorts are routine. He urged prosecution of the leaker, warning that exposure could endanger the presidency and require overhauling the entire security apparatus.”
Fox News
