1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

This is very simple: Donald Trump cannot be allowed to take a $400 million “gift” from Qatar’s royal family. Congress needs to put a stop to this immediately, and I request a full independent investigation with both congressional hearings and the appointment of a special counsel. Does this deal violate bribery laws or the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution? Is it really free when there are surely costs to retrofit the aircraft to support our equipment? How did taxpayer-funded lawyers at the Department of Justice and the White House counsel’s office decide this was okay? Especially in light of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s history as a lobbyist for Qatar, the acceptance of this gift should be thorough halted and investigated. The decision rests with Congress. From the Founding Fathers on, Americans have made it clear we do not want our leaders to be for sale to the rest of the world. Right now, the White House is creating a perception that we may be up for auction to the highest bidder. It’s hard to imagine a “no strings attached” gift. Congress cannot stand by and let it happen.