WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined her colleagues from the U.S. Senate Armed Services, Appropriations and Intelligence Committees in demanding that the Department of Defense inform them of significant operational and national security risks associated with President Trump’s plan to accept a $400 million aircraft “gift” from the Qatari royal family. The effort was led by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink last night, the Senators called for answers from the Department of Defense on how it would avoid these national security risks if Donald Trump accepts this gift, and how much taxpayers will have to pay for the widespread upgrades that would need to be made on this unverified aircraft in order to protect the President, servicemembers and sensitive information.
“[We] write today with alarm over the dangers to operational and national security presented by President Trump’s desire to execute an unconstitutional and unseemly acceptance of a $400 million gift from the Qatari royal family in the form of a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft,” the lawmakers said.
They continued: “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—potentially more than $1 billion—to convert a foreign-provided aircraft into the fortress necessary to protect him and his communications—all while taxpayers are already paying at least $3.9 billion for the contract for two aircraft currently being built by Boeing to add to the Air Force One fleet.”
In addition to Duckworth, the letter was co-signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL) Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
The full text of the letter follows and is available here.
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