Schumer fields bill in effort to scuttle Trump’s Qatar plane plans

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is taking a stand against President Donald Trump’s proposal for the U.S. military to accept a Boeing airplane from Qatar to be used as Air Force One. Schumer recently introduced a bill that would prevent Defense Department funding from being used to procure, modify, restore, or maintain an aircraft for presidential flight if that aircraft was previously owned by a foreign government, foreign government-controlled entity, or foreign government representative.

According to the text of the measure, Schumer’s bill states that no funds authorized for the Department of Defense in fiscal year 2025 or 2026 may be used for the procurement, modification, restoration, or maintenance of an aircraft previously owned by a foreign government or entity for the purposes of providing presidential airlift options.

Schumer’s concerns stem from potential espionage and constitutional issues raised by Trump’s plan to accept the Qatari jet as Air Force One. Critics argue that accepting a plane from a foreign government could compromise national security and raise conflicts of interest.

In response to Schumer’s bill, the White House has yet to provide a comment. Schumer, however, has been vocal in his opposition to Trump’s plan, accusing the president of prioritizing personal gain over national security. Schumer emphasized the exorbitant cost of retrofitting and securing the Qatari plane, stating that no amount of modifications can guarantee its security.

Despite Schumer’s efforts, the passage of his bill remains unlikely. With Republicans holding the majority in both chambers of Congress, the bill would face significant challenges in reaching the president’s desk. Even if it were to pass both houses, Trump could veto the measure, requiring a two-thirds majority to override the veto.

In a recent statement, Trump defended his decision to accept the Qatari gift, arguing that it would save taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. He emphasized that the plane would be a temporary Air Force One until new Boeings, currently delayed, are delivered. Trump dismissed critics of the plan, stating that only a “fool” would reject such a generous gift from a country grateful for U.S. support.

As the debate over the Qatari jet continues, it remains to be seen whether Schumer’s bill will gain traction in Congress. The issue raises important questions about national security, foreign influence, and presidential protocol that will likely shape future decisions regarding Air Force One and presidential travel.