On Sunday, President Donald Trump’s motorcade was unexpectedly diverted after Secret Service agents identified a ‘suspicious device’ during routine security checks.

White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, announced the incident as the president was en route to Palm Beach International Airport.

“During advance sweeps of the airport, a suspicious object was detected by the U.S. Secret Service,” Leavitt stated.

“As a precaution, further investigation was necessary, prompting an adjustment to the presidential motorcade’s planned route,” she added.

As a result, the motorcade took an unconventional path through Palm Beach, weaving through town with police motorcycles swiftly accompanying the procession.

At one point, the press vans found themselves in close quarters, narrowly avoiding collisions as they braked sharply while navigating a turn. Drivers were cautioned to maintain a tight formation throughout the journey.

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.

President Donald Trump’s motorcade had to be rerouted on Sunday after a ‘suspicious device’ was found

The president told reporters  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. 

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameni waves during a gathering of the people of Qom in Tehran on January 9, 2026

‘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.