Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, is urging the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General to initiate an inquiry concerning the department's involvement in assisting the Trump administration with the acceptance of a luxury jet donated by the Qatari government. This aircraft is intended for use as Air Force One, according to exclusive reports from ABC News.
This week, former President Donald Trump confirmed via social media the administration's plans to accept the luxury jet, describing the transaction as a "very public and transparent" process involving the Defense Department. In a letter sent on Tuesday, which was co-signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., along with six other Senate Democrats, Schiff raised various constitutional, legal, and national security concerns regarding this potential gift from Qatar.
The letter, addressed to acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins, outlines several alarming issues. The senators expressed concerns that the Trump administration may have involved the Department of Defense (DOD) to:
Launder the impermissible gift, creating the illusion that the transfer was an official gift. Shift the burden of retrofitting the aircraft onto the DOD, which would impose significant costs on U.S. taxpayers. Facilitate the eventual transfer of the jet to President Trump's library for his personal use before the end of his term.In light of these troubling allegations, the Democrats are calling for a thorough inquiry into the DOD's role in facilitating the potential foreign gift transfer. They have requested a comprehensive audit and investigation into any instances of fraud, waste, and abuse connected to the transaction. The senators pointed out that the mandatory retrofitting of the jet would be necessary if it were to function as Air Force One.
The letter further asserts that the Trump administration is circumventing constitutionally mandated congressional oversight by accepting this foreign gift. The senators warned that the DOD risks becoming entangled in a blatant effort to bypass legal restrictions on accepting personal gifts from foreign governments without explicit congressional approval.
Included in the letter's requests, the senators sought a classified estimate of the costs and timeline for retrofitting the aircraft with necessary communications and security equipment to meet the stringent standards required for the Air Force One fleet. They also inquired about the timeline dictated by the White House for making the plane ready for Trump's use, the feasibility of meeting Air Force One standards in that timeframe, and any potential risks associated with the expedited modifications.
Moreover, the senators asked for clarifications regarding the status of existing contracts for other Air Force One aircraft, including whether those contracts would continue or be terminated, along with the financial implications of such actions. They raised concerns about possible counterintelligence and security risks involved in incorporating this foreign-donated aircraft into the Air Force One fleet.
The Pentagon's Office of Inspector General acknowledged the receipt of the letter and stated that they are currently reviewing its contents, as confirmed by spokesperson Mollie Halpern.
The primary aircraft currently operating in the Air Force One fleet are two aging Boeing 747-200 jets, which have been in service since the early 1990s. The contract with Boeing for replacing these aircraft has faced significant delays and cost overruns, with the latest projected delivery date now pushed to 2027.
Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., along with Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., also signed Schiff's letter, indicating broad support among Senate Democrats for the inquiry.
Earlier, Senator Schumer addressed concerns in a separate letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, expressing worry over the implications of Trump's reported acceptance of the jet from Qatar. Schumer highlighted the potential for perceived corruption and significant security risks, noting that Bondi had personally approved the transaction. He requested a response from Bondi regarding a series of questions related to the proposed aircraft gift.
ABC News reporter Allison Pecorin contributed to this ongoing story, shedding light on the complex interplay of politics, national security, and the implications of accepting foreign gifts in the realm of U.S. governance.
