The United States Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, has accepted a Boeing 747 aircraft offered by the Gulf state of Qatar for President Donald Trump’s use as Air Force One, the Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday.
The Qatari gift — a jet worth several hundred million dollars — has sparked serious constitutional, ethical, and security concerns, particularly regarding the use of a highly sensitive presidential aircraft donated by a foreign nation.
“The Secretary of Defence has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in a statement.
He added that the Department of Defence would ensure all appropriate security protocols and mission requirements were met for any aircraft used to transport the President of the United States, deferring further questions to the US Air Force.
The US Constitution explicitly forbids public officials from accepting gifts “from any King, Prince, or foreign State” under the Emoluments Clause.
Trump Defends Acceptance
Nevertheless, former President Trump dismissed ethical objections, describing the gift as a “great gesture” and criticising the idea of rejecting the plane as “stupid”.
Speaking to reporters at the White House last week, the 78-year-old said, “I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive aeroplane.’”
He denied that Qatar expected anything in return for the jet.
Democrats Push Back
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced legislation earlier this week aiming to block Trump from using the donated aircraft.
His proposed “Presidential Airlift Security Act” would ban the Pentagon from spending taxpayer money to retrofit any aircraft previously owned by a foreign government for use as Air Force One.
“Donald Trump has shown time and again that he will sell out the American people and the presidency if it means enriching himself,” Schumer said in a statement.
“Not only would it cost billions in taxpayer funds to attempt to retrofit and secure this jet, but no amount of modification could truly guarantee its safety.”
Legislative Roadblocks
Though several Republicans have voiced unease over the aircraft donation, Senate Majority Leader John Thune — a known Trump ally — is under no obligation to bring Schumer’s bill to the Senate floor.
However, Schumer has announced plans to force a vote by proposing the legislation as an amendment to key spending bills expected to pass later this year.