Pentagon says it has accepted Boeing jet from Qatar that can be used for Trump
Washington — The Protection Division mentioned Wednesday it has accepted a Boeing jet from Qatar that can be retrofitted and used to move President Trump.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell mentioned in a press release that Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth accepted the Boeing 747 “in accordance with all federal guidelines and laws.”
“The Division of Protection will work to make sure correct safety measures and functional-mission necessities are thought of for an plane used to move the President of the US,” Parnell mentioned.
The New York Occasions first reported that the Pentagon had accepted the jetliner from the federal government of Qatar.
“As directed by the Secretary of Protection, the Air Power is making ready to award a contract to change a Boeing 747 plane for govt airlift. Particulars associated to the contract are categorized,” a spokesperson for the Air Power mentioned in a press release.
Hegseth’s acceptance of the airplane comes days after sources confirmed to CBS Information that the Qatari royal household can be donating plane for Mr. Trump’s use. The reward was first reported by ABC Information. Valued at $400 million, the jumbo jet can be donated to Mr. Trump’s future presidential library simply earlier than he leaves workplace.
Mr. Trump informed reporters final week that the Qataris are “giving us a present” and lamented that the present airplane used for Air Power One is almost 4 a long time previous. When the president is aboard both of the 2 Boeing aircrafts which are a part of the presidential air transport fleet, its name signal is “Air Power One,” in keeping with the Air Power.
“If we are able to get a 747 as a contribution to our Protection Division to make use of throughout a few years whereas they’re constructing the opposite ones, I feel that was a really good gesture,” Mr. Trump mentioned. “Now I could possibly be a silly individual and say, oh no, we do not desire a free airplane.”
The president has continued to defend the notion of receiving the airplane from Qatar, writing on social media that the Boeing jet is being given to the Protection Division, and is a present that can be used as a “momentary Air Power One” till new Boeing planes arrive.
“Why ought to our army, and subsequently our taxpayers, be compelled to pay a whole bunch of tens of millions of {Dollars} once they can get it for FREE from a nation that desires to reward us for a job nicely carried out. This massive financial savings can be spent, as an alternative, to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Solely a FOOL wouldn’t settle for this reward on behalf of our Nation,” he wrote final week.
White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt additionally reiterated Monday that the airplane is a donation to the nation and the Air Power.
“The federal government of Qatar, Qatari household, has supplied to donate this airplane to the US Air Power, the place that donation can be accepted in keeping with all authorized and moral obligations,” she mentioned. “Will probably be retrofitted to the best of requirements by the Division of Protection and the US Air Power. This airplane is just not a private donation or a present to the president of the US.”
Nonetheless, information of the reward raised issues amongst members of Congress and questions of whether or not the transaction complied with federal ethics guidelines.
Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York despatched a letter final week to a few inside authorities watchdogs asking them to conduct an ethics overview of the reward and situation an advisory opinion on whether or not it violates federal ethics laws and the Structure’s Emoluments Clause, which bars federal officers from accepting presents from overseas nations.
“The American presidency is just not a private inheritance. It doesn’t exist to complement Donald Trump,” he wrote. “It belongs to ‘We the Individuals.’ If we fail to attract the road right here, there might quickly be no line left to attract.”
Some Republicans, too, have expressed unease with the reward from the Qatari authorities. Senate Majority Chief John Thune mentioned final week that there are “a number of points related to that supply,” which he mentioned ought to be mentioned additional.
Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri mentioned that whereas he understands the necessity for a brand new Air Power One, “I would like to have a giant, lovely jet that is in-built the US of America.” Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina warned “all people must know that Air Power One is just not like each different Boeing.”
“It will should be put by way of a whole lot of paces and doubtless each sq. inch analyzed earlier than I feel the president ought to take into account it as a major technique of transportation,” he mentioned.
The secretary of the Air Power, Troy Meink, who was solely confirmed final week, informed Congress on Tuesday that the Air Power had already began trying into what modifications can be required to retrofit the jet.
“The secretary of protection has directed the Air Power to mainly begin planning to change the plane. We’re postured to do this,” Meink informed Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who requested concerning the potential safety issues of such a switch.
Meink mentioned turning any civilian plane to Air Power One requirements “will take vital modifications.”
Kaia Hubbard,
Cristina Corujo and
contributed to this report.
