How the Secret Service arranges a short notice trip like Trump's meeting in Alaska

By Mary Louise Kelly,

John Ketchum, Henry Larson

Published August 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM EDT

The president will meet with Putin on Friday in Alaska. A former secret service agent shares how the service plans last minute trips like this, especially one with major geopolitical implications.

Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly is a co-host of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine.

See stories by Mary Louise Kelly

John Ketchum

Henry Larson

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