Note: Every nation’s electronics has a unique back door for spying. It isn’t safe to fly another Nation’s plane, plus more stories from The Hill.
Trump on Monday defended his potential acceptance of a new Boeing 747-8 airplane from the government of Qatar to serve as a replacement for the current pair of Air Force One aircraft, saying that it would be “stupid” not to do so.
But Senate Republicans made clear they are uneasy about the potential arrangement for many reasons, including over Qatar’s alliances in the region.
“I’m not flying on a Qatari plane. They support Hamas,” said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), an ardent Trump supporter. “I don’t know how you make it safe.”
Some Republicans also seemed worried about the president flying on an aircraft purchased by another nation-state.
“It would be better if Air Force One were a big, beautiful jet made in the United States of America,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). “That would be ideal.”
The move comes amid ongoing delays and budget overruns at Boeing, which has been contracted to build two new jets to serve as Air Force One. The Qatari jet, valued at roughly $400 million, would be transferred to Trump’s presidential library following his term, the president said.
While Republicans were not quick to criticize, they indicated they have broad concerns and also warned the Trump administration that it must have all of their I’s dotted and T’s crossed to go ahead with the deal.
“I think they should run the legal challenges to see [if it’s OK]. I’d be checking for bugs, is what I’d be checking for,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said. ”We need to look at the constitutionality of it, sure.”
Democrats, meanwhile, were quick to heap criticism on the move, arguing that it amounts to blatant corruption and would put the nation at risk.
Using the plane as Air Force One “would pose immense counterintelligence risksby granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the ranking member of his chamber’s defense panel, said in a statement.
“This reckless disregard for national security and diplomatic propriety signals a dangerous willingness to barter American interests for personal gain,” Reed said, adding that “it is an affront to the office of the presidency and a betrayal of the trustplaced in any U.S. leader to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.”
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
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Essential Reads
How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future:
Reed: Trump’s Qatar plane would ‘pose immense counterintelligence risks’
President Trump’s acceptance of a Qatar-donated Boeing 747 as a new Air Force One aircraft would pose “immense counterintelligence risks” to the United States if used, according to the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Trump on Sunday confirmed that his administration is planning to accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 from the Qatari government, worth roughly $400 million and meant to replace Air Force One for much …
Last living American Hamas hostage Edan Alexander transferred to Israel
The last living American Hamas hostage in Gaza has been transferred to Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In a video posted on the social media platform X on Monday, IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said that Edan Alexander had “just now crossed into Israeli territory.” “Edan, a soldier in the Golani Brigade, was abducted from Kissufim military base on Oct. 7,” Shoshani added. “Alongside the joy over …
Loomer: Qatari jet gift a ‘stain’ on Trump presidency
Conservative provocateur Laura Loomer, who has been a staunch supporter of President Trump, called him out over the weekend as the White House prepares to receive a $400 million Boeing jet from the Qatari government. “I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him,” Loomer wrote in a post on the social platform X. “But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ …
Trump blasts Democratic criticism of Qatar plane gift: ‘World Class Losers!!!’
President Trump attacked Democratic lawmakers for criticizing his upcoming receipt of a luxury Boeing jet from Qatar. In a Sunday night post on Truth Social, the president dismissed critics of a reported plan for him to receive a Boeing 747-8 airplane from the government of Qatar. The plane would replace Air Force One, according to several media reports, and would be kept by Trump’s eventual presidential library after …
On Our Radar
Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:
- President Trump will kick off his visit the Middle East tomorrow, with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to accompany him.
In Other News
Branch out with a different read from The Hill:
Trump administration ends protections from deportation for Afghans
The Trump administration on Monday formally lifted a shield on deportation of Afghans in the U.S., arguing improving conditions in the Taliban-run country mean its U.S.-based citizens no longer merit such protections. The announcement from the Department of Homeland Security would end temporary protected …
On Tap Tomorrow
Events in and around the defense world:
- The Center for Strategic and International Studieswill host a forum on “Strength Through the Storm: Industry, Innovation, and the Future of U.S. Military Power,” at 8 a.m.
- The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing on the nominations of Richard Anderson to be assistant Air Force secretary for manpower; Adam Telle to be assistant Army secretary for civic works; and Matthew Napoli to be deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation at the National Nuclear Security Administration, at 9:30 a.m.
- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hear from outside experts on the security situation in east Africa at 10 a.m.
- A Senate Armed Servicessubcommittee will hear from defense officials on Defense Department missile defense activities at 4:45 p.m.