Preparations to refit the Qatari jet that shall be used as Air Drive One are underway, and ground plans or schematics have been seen by senior U.S. officers, CBS Information has discovered.
A memorandum of understanding, or MOU, between Qatar and the U.S. Protection Division, seen by CBS Information, outlines the “unconditional donation” of 1 Boeing 747-8 jumbo plane.
The memorandum was signed earlier this month by Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar’s deputy prime minister and minister of state for protection affairs. It doesn’t particularly point out Air Drive One however says the jet can be utilized by the Pentagon “in any method it deems acceptable.”
Earlier this 12 months, President Trump confirmed that the Qatari royal household was donating a Boeing 747-8 for his use. Valued at $400 million, the jumbo jet is ready to be donated to Mr. Trump’s presidential library after his time period is over.
Mr. Trump, in Could, known as it a “reward.”
“They knew about it as a result of they purchase Boeings, they purchase numerous Boeings, and so they knew about it, and so they mentioned, we wish to do one thing,” Mr. Trump mentioned. “And if we will get a 747 as a contribution to our Protection Division to make use of throughout a few years whereas they’re constructing the opposite ones, I feel that was a really good gesture. Now I might be a silly particular person and say, ‘Oh no, we do not desire a free aircraft.'”
“Nothing on this MOU is, or shall be interpreted or construed as a suggestion, promise, or acceptance of any type of bribery, undue affect, or corrupt follow,” the memorandum states.”The events affirm that the donation is a bona fide reward.”
The jet shall be donated “as is,” which might imply the Pentagon is liable for any prices to improve the aircraft to reinforce its safety.
One funds official believes the cash to pay for upgrades will come from the Sentinel program. The Sentinel is the U.S. army program to switch the 400 silo-based nuclear Minuteman III missiles throughout the nation. The Protection Division admits it is delayed and over funds, with value overruns of 81% since September 2020, and is now estimated to value the U.S. $141 billion.
There are constitutional guidelines towards a president accepting items from exterior entities, together with overseas governments and even members of Congress. Article I of the Structure prevents any president from accepting a present or emolument from a “King, Prince, or overseas State,” with out congressional consent.
In Could, Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York mentioned he despatched a letter to the Authorities Accountability Workplace urging an investigation into the Trump administration accepting a aircraft as a present.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the U.S. authorities and Qatar are anticipated to finalize the settlement this week.
A supply advised CBS Information in Could that the aircraft must be checked for safety and spying gadgets earlier than it’s accepted. Renovations that would value a whole bunch of thousands and thousands will should be achieved earlier than the aircraft is prepared for use as Air Drive One, the Air Drive secretary mentioned final month.
contributed to this report.
