WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump reportedly is about to simply accept a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a present from the ruling household of Qatar throughout his journey to the Center East this week, and U.S. officers say it could possibly be transformed right into a presidential plane.
The present is anticipated to be introduced when Trump visits Qatar as a part of a visit that additionally contains stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the primary prolonged international journey of his second time period.
Administration officers, anticipating questions concerning the president accepting such a big present from a international authorities, have ready an evaluation arguing that doing so could be authorized, in keeping with ABC. The Structure’s Emoluments Clause bars anybody holding authorities workplace from accepting any current, emolument, workplace or title from any “King, Prince, or foreign State” with out congressional consent.
One professional on authorities ethics, Kathleen Clark of the Washington College Faculty of Legislation in St. Louis, accused Trump of being “committed to exploiting the federal government’s power, not on behalf of policy goals, but for amassing personal wealth.”
“This is outrageous,” Clark mentioned. “Trump believes he will get away this.”
Air Power One is a modified Boeing 747. Two exist, and the president flies on each, that are greater than 30 years previous. Boeing Inc. has the contract to provide up to date variations, however supply has been delayed whereas the corporate has misplaced billions of {dollars} on the mission. Supply has been pushed to someday in 2027 for the primary airplane and to 2028 — Trump’s closing full yr in workplace — for the second.
