US and Chinese security staff in ‘skirmish’ over nuclear football
DONALD TRUMP’S security staff reportedly came to blows with Chinese officials over a briefcase containing the nuclear codes during a visit in Beijing.
A tussle broke out after the US military aide carrying the nuclear “football” was blocked from following Donald Trump into a room, according to the political website Axios.
The move caused a standoff that eventually saw a Chinese official tackled to the ground by a member of the American entourage, the report claims.
The alleged incident was kept secret at the time of the visit last November.
At the heart of the bust-up is the nuclear football, a leather briefcase containing everything needed to launch a nuclear weapon, which is kept close to the president at all times.
Axios reported a “skirmish” took place – citing five sources “familiar with events” – after the US aide carrying the briefcase was stopped from following Mr Trump into Beijing’s Great Hall of the People by security.
John Kelly, the White House chief of staff, rushed over reportedly telling US officials to keep walking and saying “we’re moving in”. A commotion reportedly followed. A Chinese official was said to have grabbed Mr Kelly before a US secret service agent tackled the man to the ground.
Axios said Chinese officials had apologised for the incident.