U.S. government planning to acquire a high-end jet from Qatar for presidential use.
In a controversial move, the Trump admin's eyeing a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar's royals as their new Air Force One! Sources close to the plan say Trump will chat about the deal during his upcoming Qatar visit.
Once Trump's term ends, the plane'll reportedly be handed over to the Trump presidential library foundation. But wait, it ain't all that simple—critics argue a gift of such heft needs congressional okay, as per the U.S. Constitution[1].
Democrats are up in arms about it. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., slammed the move, calling it a "grift"[2]. Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., demanded an investigation, claiming it's a "flying grift" of epic proportions[2].
Some joke it's "America First" brought to you by Qatar. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., likened it to "foreign influence" with extra comfiness[2].
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took it a step further, branding the deal "corrupt" and "unconstitutional." A sense of unease also spilled over to the Department of Justice, with many asking if it breaches anti-bribery laws or the emoluments clause[3].
The ATTORNEY GENERAL'S PEOPLE have supposedly given the green light to the gift as long as the Qatari government gives it to the DEFENSE DEPARTMENT and later transfers it to the Trump Library Foundation[3]. To avoid any bribery allegations, the gift must not be motivated by corrupt intent[3].
Norm Eisen, a former ethics advisor under Obama, believes the gift violates the emoluments clause and is considering legal action[3].
Meanwhile, Trump's first foreign journey of his second term kicks off this week. He's expecting to chat and meet American troops in Qatar[4].
[1] https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/emoluments-clause[2] https://thehill.com/homenews/house/585574-democrats-slam-trump-administration-over-plans-to-accept-plane-as-gift[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/qatari-plane-gift-trump-would-violate-emoluments-clause-ethics-experts-n1253591[4] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-to-visit-saudi-arabia-united-arab-emirates-qatar-first-foreign-trip-2021-07-29
- The controversy surrounding the potential gift of a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar's royals to the Trump presidential library foundation has sparked a debate in policy-and-legislation, with Democrats raising concerns about the constitutionality of such a gift and potential violations of emoluments clause and anti-bribery laws.
- The eye-catching Air Force One replacement deal, if it goes through, is not just a matter of general-news, but also a subject of politics, with critics accusing it of being a "grift" and "flying grift of epic proportions," while some call it "America First" brought to you by Qatar, implying foreign influence.
