Block Trump's Illegal and Unethical ‘Flying Palace' Gift from Qatar

This reported $400 million “gift” of a luxurious private jet from Qatar to President Trump represents an egregious violation of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause and a severe national security threat. The Emoluments Clause explicitly prohibits the President from accepting any “present” or “Emolument” from a foreign state without the consent of Congress.   This colossal bribe from Qatar, a state-sponsor of terrorism that funds Hamas, crosses a bright constitutional line. Furthermore, allowing a foreign power to provide the President's mobile command center raises alarming counterintelligence risks. As experts have warned, this gift plane would require exhaustive sweeps and inspections to detect any pre-installed surveillance equipment or other security vulnerabilities.   And even after that, how can we trust that Qatar has not secured hidden access or influence over operations aboard the plane? This represents an unacceptable threat to national security. This $400 million “palace in the sky” is clearly an attempt by Qatar to buy influence and curry favor with President Trump, who has lucrative business dealings in that country worth billions. It creates an inescapable conflict of interest that makes it impossible for Trump to take any action against Qatar’s interests without directly harming his own.   This is the very type of foreign corruption the Founders sought to guard against. I demand Congress exercise its constitutional duty by immediately launching a thorough investigation into this matter. Qatar's bribing of the President cannot be allowed to stand. Violations this blatant erode faith in our democracy and system of checks and balances.   Congress must forcefully denounce and block this unlawful emolument from a hostile foreign power. Our democratic institutions and national security depend on it.