The US protection division has confirmed that it has accepted a Boeing 747 jetliner gifted by Qatar, supposed to be used as a future Air Pressure One for US President Donald Trump. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated in an announcement on Wednesday that the aircraft was accepted “in accordance with all federal guidelines and laws.” The plane is now being assessed for safety upgrades to satisfy presidential transport necessities.In line with The New York Occasions, the plane, estimated to be price $200 million, requires important modifications earlier than it may securely carry the president. Air Pressure secretary Troy Meink admitted throughout Senate testimony, “Any civilian plane will take important modifications… We’re off taking a look at that proper now.”Considerations are mounting in Congress over the potential for rushed retrofitting beneath political stress. Senator Tammy Duckworth warned that fast-tracking upgrades might danger bypassing important safety protocols, together with missile defence methods and shielding towards nuclear electromagnetic pulses.The problem has additionally sparked constitutional debate. As per AFP, the US Structure’s Emoluments Clause prohibits officers from accepting presents from overseas states. Whereas 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 towards the criticism. “It’s an ideal gesture,” he advised reporters, including, “I might by no means be one to show down that sort of a proposal… I imply, I could possibly be a silly individual and say ‘no.’”Nonetheless, Senate Democrats are shifting to dam the plane’s use. Senate minority chief Chuck Schumer launched the Presidential Airlift Safety Act, which might prohibit utilizing taxpayer funds to retrofit any aircraft beforehand owned by a overseas authorities. “Not solely would it not take billions… however there’s completely no quantity of modifications that may assure will probably be safe,” Schumer acknowledged, as reported by AFP.Trump, throughout a latest Oval Workplace look with South Africa’s president, defended the transfer by saying, “They’re giving america Air Pressure a jet,” reported AP. He additionally posted on-line that it will save taxpayer cash: “Why ought to our army… be pressured to pay tons of of tens of millions of {Dollars} after they can get it without spending a dime.”Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani denied that the present was aimed toward influencing Trump. “It’s a two-way relationship,” he stated, as per The New York Occasions. “Something we offer… it’s out of respect for this partnership.”Regardless of some Republican backing, a number of GOP lawmakers have raised crimson flags over safety dangers and the optics of accepting such a present from a overseas energy. With seven-figure retrofitting prices and deepening bipartisan scrutiny, the aircraft’s future as Air Pressure One stays in query.
