Trump Force One Grounded for Alabama Trip?

Will Trump Force One bring Donald Trump to Tuscaloosa for Saturday's much-hyped Alabama home football game against Georgia?

Two assassination attempts, continued threats from Iran and congressional criticism of how the Secret Service has handle his security have prompted changes in Donald Trump's campaign. One major change could be how the Republican nominee travels.

Amid criticism from some GOP members of congress, the Secret Service is advising the Trump campaign to consider a multitude of changes in campaign operations, including the use of the Boeing 757 aircraft known by staffers as "Trump Force One" he uses to travel to campaign appearances.

This week U.S. intelligence officials briefed the Trump campaign on threats made against him by Iran. They also confirmed that Iran wants revenge on Trump because he ordered the killing of a top Iranian general in 2020.

The wounding of Trump at a political rally in Pennsylvania and a preempted assassination attempt at the Trump National Golf Club in Florida have prompted the Secret Service to encourage the Trump campaign to reconsider how they select campaign appearances and how they travel.

Trump prefers flying on his iconic and clearly marked red, white and blue Trump aircraft. But the New York Times has revealed the security agency is encouraging the campaign to restrict its use and travel on multiple smaller, less identifiable aircraft.

Some social media posts have made unverified claims that Iran has smuggled surface to air missiles into the U.S. to attempt to shoot Trump Force One down.

Earlier this month a Paksitani man with ties to Iran pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a plot to kill an American politician. The man identified Trump as a potential target but had not received orders.

Iran also conducted a cyber-attack on Trump campaign e-mail, releasing sensitive internal campaign communications.

Trump himself believes there will be more attempts on his life. On his Truth Social site, he wrote that there are "big threats" from Iran and that "they will try again."

While security will not yet be to the level of a sitting president Saturday, it will be much tighter than normal at Bryant-Denny Stadium. With 100,000-plus fans in the stadium and thousands more outside without a ticket, a planned student lead anti-Trump protest, and ESPN "College Gameday" in town, security will be tight and difficult. But UA issued a statement this week acknowledging that it is their top priority.

"We have been notified that the 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, plans to attend the Alabama-Georgia football game on Sept. 28 after receiving an invitation from a private citizen,” the statement from UA read. “The safety of our campus is and will remain our top priority, and UAPD will work closely with the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners to coordinate security. Like for every UA football game, walk-through metal detectors will be in place and the clear bag policy will be strictly enforced. Additional safety measures will be enacted in collaboration with local and federal agencies, so fans are encouraged to arrive early to expedite the security screening process. The University’s focus will continue to be ensuring a safe and positive gameday experience for the student-athletes, fans of both teams, and all campus visitors.”

The U.S. Congress passed a bi-partisan bill that would give major presidential candidates the same level of protection as a sitting president. The bill awaits President Biden's signature.