REUTERS4 President Trump’s helicopter, Marine One, takes off from the White House lawn in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. YouTube / STATter9114 The FAA is investigating why air traffic controllers at Washington’s Reagan National Airport did not stop flights Tuesday when President Trump’s helicopter, Marine One, took off from the nearby White House lawn. YouTube / STATter911Marine One’s crew repeatedly attempted to contact the Reagan National control tower before departure Tuesday, stating the presidential helicopter was “three minutes to lift.” The helicopter lifted off from the Ellipse near the White House at 2:33 p.m. “The air traffic controller was in contact with both the commercial pilot and Marine One pilot during the loss of separation.