A coalition of six Democratic lawmakers is seeking more information from the Air Force regarding their use of funds from the nuclear missile modernization program to finance upgrades for luxury jets given to the Trump administration.
In a letter addressed to Air Force Secretary Troy Mike on Wednesday, they voiced their concerns over funding management related to the Sentinel nuclear missile program.
The letter was signed by Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), John Garamendi (D-Calif), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD).
The U.S. and Qatar are poised to finalize a deal for a 747 Boeing luxury jet intended for use as Air Force One, following an agreement signed last month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Qatari counterpart regarding Qatar’s “unconditional donation.”
Lawmakers from both political parties have raised ethical concerns, noting that this 13-year-old jet, once utilized by the Qatari royal family, could end up costing taxpayers hundreds of millions. They are particularly worried about the implications for Air Force operations.
President Trump first revealed this contentious gift in May during a visit to the Middle East, frequently referring to the plane as “gifts” and “free.”
However, American taxpayers may face a bill estimated at “less than $400 million” from June, covering the costs of retrofitting the jets with security and communication systems necessary for Air Force use. Yet, aviation experts suggest this figure could soar past $1 billion.
Democrats have expressed concerns that Qatar might be trying to influence the administration by presenting Trump with what they describe as an “empty palace.”
Additionally, the Air Force plans to reallocate hundreds of millions from the Sentinel program to accommodate the extensive modifications needed for the jet to meet military standards.
The exact cost of these upgrades remains classified, which is another point of frustration for lawmakers.
They emphasize, “The funding meant for the Air Force’s critical national security priorities appears to be diverted for the president’s whims, and the lack of transparency obscures the actual costs from the public.”
Lawmakers are also questioning whether any of the $934 million drawn from the Sentinel program has been redirected to jet modifications and whether they’ve evaluated such fund shifts.
