Trump's Air Force One Deal Is Qatar Grounded?

Trump's Air Force One Deal with Qatar: Not So Fast?

Reports have emerged suggesting that the highly publicized deal between the U.S. and Qatar, involving a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet intended for use as Air Force One, may not be as finalized as previously indicated. Despite earlier assertions from the Department of Defense, sources within the White House and individuals familiar with the ongoing discussions reveal that the agreement is still under review by prospective legal teams.

A White House official confirmed that their legal team is actively working on the details, specifically crafting a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and Qatar to formalize the gift. This news was initially reported by The Washington Post.

What We Know So Far:

• The aircraft is currently located in the United States, a fact confirmed by President Trump himself.
• Qatar seeks to clarify that the Trump administration initiated discussions regarding the donation of the luxury jet.
• The White House maintains that this is a "sovereign-to-sovereign gift" to the US Air Force.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the transfer is a "government-to-government gift" and directed further inquiries to the Department of Defense and the United States Air Force.

The Timeline:

• Earlier this month, ABC News reported that the plane was expected to be available for Trump's use as Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office.
• Subsequently, ownership of the plane would then be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation.
• Last week, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the Pentagon had officially accepted the luxury jet from Qatar.

Security Concerns and Political Fallout

The Trump administration's plan to accept the Qatari government's donation has ignited security concerns among intelligence experts and government officials. Democratic lawmakers have voiced anxieties about potential security risks, suggesting the plane could grant a foreign nation access to sensitive systems and communications, thus raising counterintelligence issues. Republicans, on the other hand, have questioned the ethical implications of accepting such a substantial gift from a foreign government.

John Cohen, an ABC News contributor and former acting Homeland Security official, emphasized that any location where the president is present becomes a "high-value target" for foreign intelligence services seeking to gather information.

President Trump, however, has defended the decision, stating that it would be "stupid" to reject a free, expensive airplane and characterizing the gift from Qatar as a "very nice gesture." He added, "I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer... I thought it was a great gesture."

A Deal Still in the Works

Despite the confident pronouncements from some quarters, it's clear that the Air Force One deal with Qatar is not yet a done deal. With legal teams still poring over the details and security concerns lingering, the fate of this luxury jet remains uncertain. The coming weeks will likely be crucial in determining whether this controversial agreement will ultimately take flight.

Tags: Trump, Air Force One, Qatar, Boeing 747, Jumbo Jet, Al Udeid, Legal team, White House, Doha, US Qatar deal, Department of Defense, Security Concerns, International Relations, Donald Trump

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-air-force-deal-qatar-finalized-reviewed-prospective/story?id=122316357