President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania's helicopter, Marine One, was forced to make an emergency landing Thursday as they prepared to leave the United Kingdom.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt provided details about the incident, stating, "Due to a minor hydraulic issue, and out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted airport." The airport is just outside London and was where Air Force One was waiting to take the pair back to the White House.
Leavitt said that "the president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter."
The unplanned landing added an ironic twist to Trump's subsequent remarks to reporters traveling with him on Air Force One. "Fly safely," he said. "You know why I say that? Because I'm on the flight. I want to get home, otherwise I wouldn't care."
After the emergency landing, the presidential couple successfully boarded Air Force One to complete their return trip from the United Kingdom.