White House issues warning on Air Force One after a number of items were stolen from the plane
The White House has issued a warning after a number of items were stolen from President Joe Biden's official aircraft.
As the US prepares for an election campaign ahead of Americans going to the polls in November, the current president is losing souvenirs from Air Force One.
The Commander-in-Chief's official aircraft basically takes him from A to B as he travels the world, meeting world leaders to discuss important topics.
The aircraft has been dubbed his 'office in the sky', complete with a medical station, operating table and conference room.
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Meanwhile, media outlets often pay for their journalists to fly on Air Force One, along with the meals and drinks served in-flight.
And it appears that some journalists have decided to treat themselves to a souvenir from the aircraft.
An inventory check on Air Force One after Biden's visit to the west coast of the US in February found several items missing from the press section.
The likes of branded pillowcases, glasses and gold-rimmed plates are said to be among the items to have vanished from the aircraft.
Subsequently, the White House has warned that taking items from Air Force One is strictly forbidden.
There are officially 13 White House journalists who accompany the president on his plane.
And typically, they are provided with a packet of M&M’s chocolates bearing the presidential seal and Biden's signature.
However, reports claim that taking items such as cutlery and towels with the Air Force One logo has become common amongst journalists.
A Politico report following an investigation into the matter stated: “For years, scores of journalists - and others - have quietly stuffed everything from engraved whisky tumblers to wine glasses to pretty much anything with the Air Force One insignia on it into their bag before stepping off the plane."
NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, has since stated that taking such items is prohibited and the actions of some journalists reflect badly on the press corps as a whole.
Politico reports that the plea has seemingly resonated with one journalist, who's discreetly returned an embroidered pillowcase.
However, others are certainly not on the same page.
Misha Komadovsky, White House correspondent from the Voice of America, told BBC News: "I didn’t embarrass anyone or commit any wrongdoing to put this collection together."
He did so while holding up a paper cup with the Air Force One logo he 'simply forgot to throw away'.
Callum Jones