Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a gifted Boeing 747 plane from Qatar for President Trump to make use of as Air Power One, the Pentagon mentioned Wednesday.
The Protection Division will “work to make sure correct safety measures” on the plane to make it secure to be used by the president, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell mentioned. He added that the aircraft was accepted “in accordance with all federal guidelines and laws.”
Trump has defended the present, which got here up throughout his latest Center East journey, as a approach to save tax {dollars}.
“Why ought to our army, and due to this fact our taxpayers, be compelled to pay lots of of thousands and thousands of {Dollars} after they can get it for FREE,” Trump throughout the journey.
Others, nonetheless, have raised considerations in regards to the plane being a violation of the Structure’s prohibition on international items. In addition they have famous the necessity to retrofit the aircraft to fulfill safety necessities, which might be pricey and take time.
Trump was requested in regards to the transfer Wednesday whereas he was assembly within the Oval Workplace with South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa. “They’re giving the USA Air Power a jet,” Trump mentioned.
The Republican president has offered no nationwide safety crucial for a swift improve moderately than ready for Boeing to complete new Air Power One jets which have been within the works for years.
Baldor writes for the Related Press.
