Preparations underway for Qatari jet that will probably be used as Air Drive One
Preparations to refit the Qatari jet that will probably be used as Air Drive One are underway, and flooring plans or schematics have been seen by senior U.S. officers, CBS Information has discovered.
A memorandum of understanding, or MOU, between Qatar and the U.S. Protection Division, considered by CBS Information, outlines the “unconditional donation” of 1 Boeing 747-8 jumbo plane.
The memorandum was signed earlier this month by Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar’s deputy prime minister and minister of state for protection affairs. It doesn’t particularly point out Air Drive One however says the jet can be utilized by the Pentagon “in any method it deems acceptable.”
Earlier this yr, President Trump confirmed that the Qatari royal household was donating a Boeing 747-8 for his use. Valued at $400 million, the jumbo jet is ready to be donated to Mr. Trump’s presidential library after his time period is over.
Mr. Trump, in Could, referred to as it a “present.”
“They knew about it as a result of they purchase Boeings, they purchase plenty of Boeings, and so they knew about it, and so they stated, we want to do one thing,” Mr. Trump stated. “And 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. Now I may very well be a silly individual and say, ‘Oh no, we do not need a free aircraft.'”
“Nothing on this MOU is, or shall be interpreted or construed as a proposal, promise, or acceptance of any type of bribery, undue affect, or corrupt apply,” the memorandum states.”The events affirm that the donation is a bona fide present.”
The jet will probably be donated “as is,” which might imply the Pentagon is answerable for any prices to improve the aircraft to reinforce its safety.
One finances official believes the cash to pay for upgrades will come from the Sentinel program. The Sentinel is the U.S. navy program to interchange the 400 silo-based nuclear Minuteman III missiles throughout the nation. The Protection Division admits it is not on time and over finances, with price overruns of 81% since September 2020, and is now estimated to price the U.S. $141 billion.
There are constitutional guidelines towards a president accepting items from exterior entities, together with overseas governments and even members of Congress. Article I of the Structure prevents any president from accepting a present or emolument from a “King, Prince, or overseas State,” with out congressional consent.
In Could, Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York stated he despatched a letter to the Authorities Accountability Workplace urging an investigation into the Trump administration accepting a aircraft as a present.
The Washington Publish reported on Saturday that the U.S. authorities and Qatar are anticipated to finalize the settlement this week.
A supply instructed CBS Information in Could that the aircraft must be checked for safety and spying units earlier than it’s accepted. Renovations that would price tons of of thousands and thousands will must be completed earlier than the aircraft is prepared for use as Air Drive One, the Air Drive secretary stated final month.
Jennifer Jacobs
contributed to this report.
