Topline
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., mentioned Monday he’ll introduce a invoice that may “prohibit any overseas plane from getting used as Air Drive One,” focusing on the $400 million luxurious aircraft President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to simply accept and use as Air Drive One from Qatar.
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY) departs from the Senate Chambers within the U.S. Capitol … Extra Constructing on March 14, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Key Details
Schumer mentioned in a submit on X on Monday the invoice he plans can even prohibit the Division of Protection “from utilizing funds to acquire or modify overseas plane for presidential flights.”
“Retrofitting the Qatari aircraft would value billions and will by no means even really eradicate all catastrophic dangers,” Schumer mentioned within the submit.
Information of Schumer’s invoice comes a few week after studies started circulating that Trump is planning to simply accept a luxurious aircraft from Qatar that he’ll retrofit and use as Air Drive One till he leaves workplace, at which level it will be donated to his presidential library.
The invoice is titled the “Presidential Airlift Safety Act of 2025,” and seeks to “combat again in opposition to this blatant corruption and apparent nationwide safety threat,” in line with an announcement from Schumer’s workplace shared with Forbes.
Essential Quote
“Not solely wouldn’t it take billions of taxpayer {dollars} to even try and retrofit and safe this aircraft, however there’s completely no quantity of modifications that may assure will probably be safe,” Schumer mentioned within the assertion. “It’s now on the Senate to prioritize our nationwide safety, shield People, and be certain that a foreign-owned aircraft by no means will get the decision signal ‘Air Drive One.’”
Key Background
Stories of Trump accepting the aircraft nearly instantly drew bipartisan criticism final week, with some Republicans even expressing concern. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., mentioned on Fox Information the present might “cloud” the U.S.’ means to guage Qatar’s human rights report and mentioned it’s “not well worth the look of impropriety, whether or not it’s improper or not.” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, informed NBC the present is “rife with authorized, moral and sensible impediments, together with the potential for espionage.” Throughout Trump’s go to to the Center East, together with Qatar, final week, the Democratic Nationwide Committee flew a banner above Mar-a-Lago that learn “Qatar-A-Lago.” The aircraft—a Boeing 747-8 that’s estimated to be price about $400 million and might be the most important overseas present to the federal authorities in historical past—has not been formally provided, however Trump has insisted it will be a present to the Protection Division and never him personally and that he wouldn’t use it after leaving workplace. “Solely a FOOL wouldn’t settle for this present on behalf of our Nation,” Trump mentioned of the present on Fact Social. Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned the White Home was figuring out authorized particulars and “any donation to this authorities is finished in full compliance with the legislation and we commit ourselves to the utmost transparency.”
What To Watch For
The invoice seems extremely unlikely to go Congress, as Republicans management each the Home and Senate, that means passage would require a GOP revolt in opposition to Trump that may be unprecedented since his return to the presidency.
Large Quantity
62%. That’s what number of respondents in a Harvard Heart for American Political Research/Harris ballot launched Monday thought Trump accepting the luxurious aircraft from Qatar “raises moral issues about corruption.” Extra Democrats took situation with the present—85% felt it raised issues—however nonetheless 62% of independents and 40% of Republicans additionally reported issues. The ballot was carried out on Might 14 and Might 15 amongst 1,903 registered voters and had a margin of error of +/- 2.2 factors.
Tangent
When Trump was within the Center East final week, Qatar Airways introduced it is going to purchase 210 jets from Boeing, which makes the aircraft Trump is poised to simply accept.
Additional Studying
What We Know About Trump’s Plan To Settle for Aircraft From Qatar (Forbes)
Trump’s Qatari Aircraft Might Be Used For ‘Espionage’ Republicans Say—As Democrats Open Probes (Forbes)
Qatar Will Purchase Boeing Jets — After Donating 747 To Trump (Forbes)