Several Democratic senators are questioning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over President Trump’s acceptance of a jet from Qatar, stressing in a letter the national security risks and counterintelligence concerns inherent in such a transaction.
“The American people deserve to understand this administration’s plans for securing this aircraft, the vulnerabilities its use will present to our national security and the price tag they will be asked to pay for President Trump’s decision to integrate this aircraft into our most sensitive fleet,” the group of lawmakers, led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) wrote in the letter dated May 14.
Earlier this week, Trump said he would accept a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from the Qatari government. The aircraft would be received by the Defense Department in what the president described as a “very public and transparent transaction.”
But the move has been met with criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.
Democrats, in the letter, deemed it “unconstitutional” and expressed concerns about threats to the president’s safety. The group of lawmakers argued it “provides a dangerous opportunity to exploit for foreign intelligence agencies and adversaries seeking to do harm to the United States.”
“An unsecure and unprotected Air Force One presents clear dangers to our national security,” the lawmakers continued.
GOP lawmakers including Sens. Todd Young (Ind.) and Ted Cruz (Texas) also expressed discomfort about the jet, reiterating Democrats’ concerns about the country’s security.
“I’m not comfortable accepting it,” Young said this week. “I think there are national security concerns that need to be addressed about listening devices, safety specs and potentially other issues.
Wednesday’s letter from Democrats, including Sens. Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Adam Schiff (Calif.) Chris Van Hollen (Md.) Dick Durbin (Ill.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Michael Bennet (Colo.) and Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), also highlighted worries about “waste, fraud and abuse,” which the president has sought to rid from the government through sweeping cuts and reforms headed by the Department of Government Efficiency.
“Experts estimate that upgrading this unvetted aircraft to meet essential security specifications could cost upwards of $1 billion. President Trump is claiming that this “gift” of an aircraft worth $400 million is saving taxpayers money, but in reality, his decision will force taxpayers to foot an unnecessary bill,” the senators wrote.
“This administration has been vocal about its commitment to efficiency and cost-savings in the federal government,” the lawmakers continued. “But spending taxpayer money on efforts to upgrade this Qatari jet – when the President currently travels securely – is unnecessary and wasteful. ”
Angus King (I-Maine), an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also signed on to the letter, which asks Hegseth to respond to a handful of questions regarding the jet by June 1.
Some lawmakers and officials have also expressed ethical concerns about the jet, citing Trump’s business interests in the region as well as other administration’s officials’ Qatari ties.
The uproar over the aircraft comes as Trump visits the Middle East in his second visit out of the country since returning to the White House.
The president has touted investment in the region, including Qatar Airways signing an agreement to purchase 160 jets from Boeing, a $600 billion Saudi investment commitment and a multibillion-dollar defense partnership with Saudi Arabia.
The Hill has reached out to the Defense Department and White House for comment.
