Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declared on Tuesday that he will obstruct all Department of Justice nominations put forward by former President Donald Trump unless the department discloses full details surrounding Qatar’s contentious offer to donate a $400 million aircraft to the Trump administration.
The aircraft in question—a Boeing 747-8—is proposed to serve as an updated version of Air Force One, the aircraft used to transport U.S. presidents. Trump defended the proposal earlier this week, calling it “stupid” to reject the gift, as it would later be turned over to his presidential library. The deal has sparked criticism from lawmakers and ethics experts alike, who question whether the offer undermines constitutional safeguards.
Reports indicate that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi approved the arrangement, prompting Schumer to condemn the decision as “shockingly incompetent.” Speaking on the Senate floor, he demanded that Bondi testify before both chambers of Congress to clarify how accepting a luxury aircraft from a foreign government does not breach the U.S. Constitution’s emoluments clause, which forbids presidents from accepting gifts without congressional consent.
The controversy is further complicated by the fact that the Pentagon is already procuring a replacement Air Force One from Boeing, with delivery anticipated within the next couple of years. Schumer voiced concern that if the Qatar-funded plane is used only temporarily, the burden of expensive upgrades—including security systems and presidential accommodations—could fall on U.S. taxpayers.
Schumer questioned whether Qatar would finance the specialized modifications needed to make the aircraft suitable for presidential use, including secure communications and defense systems. “If taxpayers are on the hook for those upgrades,” he said, “why are we even entertaining the idea of using this aircraft for just a year or two?”
The White House stated that specifics of the arrangement were still under negotiation. Meanwhile, Schumer referenced broader concerns about Trump potentially using his position for personal gain. He highlighted several ventures, including a proposed Trump-branded cryptocurrency, a new hotel project in Dubai, and a golf course in Qatar—all of which have intensified scrutiny over conflicts of interest and the potential monetization of political power.