WASHINGTON, DC – Washington Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray joined fellow Democrats in condemning President Trump’s acceptance of a plane from Qatar.
A resolution signed by the senators says the gift violates the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits members of the federal government from accepting gifts without permission from Congress.
“Whereas the acceptance of presidential aircraft from a foreign government would establish a concerning precedent for the acceptance of substantial gifts from foreign governments without the consent of Congress,” the resolution reads, in part.
It also says “acceptance of presidential aircraft from a foreign government poses counter-intelligence and other national security concerns” and that “he acceptance of a substantial gift from a foreign government could unduly influence the foreign policies of the United States.”
President Trump posted to Truth Social that the plane is a gift to the United States Air Force/Department of Defense, not to him personally.
“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars [sic] when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done,” President Trump wrote. “Only a FOOL would not accept this gift on behalf of our Country [sic].”
President Trump says when his term ends, the plane would be donated to his future presidential library.
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