US accepts Boeing 747 gift from Qatar for Trump; Democrats move to block use

US accepts Boeing 747 gift from Qatar for Trump (Picture credit score: AP)

The US protection division has confirmed that it has accepted a Boeing 747 jetliner gifted by Qatar, meant for use as a future Air Force One for US President Donald Trump. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated in a press release on Wednesday that the aircraft was accepted “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations.” The plane is now being assessed for safety upgrades to meet presidential transport necessities.According to The New York Times, the plane, estimated to be value $200 million, requires important modifications earlier than it might probably securely carry the president. Air Force secretary Troy Meink admitted throughout Senate testimony, “Any civilian aircraft will take significant modifications… We’re off looking at that right now.”Concerns are mounting in Congress over the potential for rushed retrofitting underneath political stress. Senator Tammy Duckworth warned that fast-tracking upgrades might danger bypassing important safety protocols, together with missile defence programs and shielding in opposition to nuclear electromagnetic pulses.The subject has additionally sparked constitutional debate. As per AFP, the US Constitution’s Emoluments Clause prohibits officers from accepting presents from overseas states. While the Pentagon insists the acceptance adopted authorized procedures, critics argue that permitting a foreign-donated jet for presidential use violates foundational norms.Trump has pushed again in opposition to the criticism. “It’s a great gesture,” he informed reporters, including, “I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer… I mean, I could be a stupid person and say ‘no.’”However, Senate Democrats are shifting to block the plane’s use. Senate minority chief Chuck Schumer launched the Presidential Airlift Security Act, which might prohibit utilizing taxpayer funds to retrofit any aircraft beforehand owned by a overseas authorities. “Not only would it take billions… but there’s absolutely no amount of modifications that can guarantee it will be secure,” Schumer acknowledged, as reported by AFP.Trump, throughout a latest Oval Office look with South Africa’s president, defended the move by saying, “They are giving the United States Air Force a jet,” reported AP. He additionally posted on-line that it will save taxpayer cash: “Why should our military… be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for free.”Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani denied that the gift was geared toward influencing Trump. “It’s a two-way relationship,” he stated, as per The New York Times. “Anything we provide… it’s out of respect for this partnership.”Despite some Republican backing, a number of GOP lawmakers have raised purple flags over safety dangers and the optics of accepting such a gift from a overseas energy. With seven-figure retrofitting prices and deepening bipartisan scrutiny, the aircraft’s future as Air Force One stays in query.