Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks in observance of Structure Day at Center Tennessee State College (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, U.S., September 17, 2024.
Seth Herald | Reuters
Former Vice President Mike Pence mentioned Sunday that President Donald Trump ought to flip down the present of a $400 million jet from the royal household of Qatar, citing nationwide safety issues.
“Qatar has a protracted historical past of enjoying either side,” Pence mentioned in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “The very concept that we’d settle for an Air Drive One from Qatar I believe is inconsistent with our safety, with our intelligence wants … I believe it is only a unhealthy thought, and my hope is the president will assume higher of it.”
Trump’s plan to just accept the lavish Qatari jumbo jet, a Boeing 747-8, and convert it for use as Air Drive One has sparked fierce controversy over the legality, ethics and nationwide safety implications of what could be the most important international present ever obtained by the U.S. authorities.
Trump beforehand mentioned any acceptance of the plane could be because of delays at U.S. producer Boeing.
“There are profound points, the potential for intelligence gathering, the necessity to make sure the president of the US is secure and safe as he travels world wide,” Pence mentioned. “My hope is the president reconsiders it. I believe if Qatar needs to make a present to the US, they must take that $400 million and plow it into infrastructure on our navy base.”
Consultants have warned that changing such a jet into Air Drive One might take years to finish and will value U.S. taxpayers tons of of thousands and thousands of {dollars} over time, NBC beforehand reported.
Trump mentioned the airplane will likely be formally given to the U.S. Division of Protection. As soon as Trump ends his second time period as president, the possession of the present is predicted to be transferred to the Trump presidential library basis. By doing so, the palatial jet would by no means be owned personally by Trump.
“This extremely revered nation is donating the airplane to the US Air Drive/ Protection Division, AND NOT TO ME,” Trump mentioned in a publish on Reality Social Sunday. “By so doing, they’re saving our nation, and the American Taxpayer, tons of of thousands and thousands of {dollars}.”
