Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) has raised concerns about Qatar’s extravagant gift of a Boeing 747-8 to the Trump administration.
“I’m not particularly fond of Qatar. They have a troubling history of financing radical groups that threaten our safety, including Hamas and Hezbollah. That’s a genuine issue,” he stated.
“I think this aircraft could lead to serious issues related to espionage and surveillance,” he cautioned. “We’ll have to see how this unfolds, but I have significant worries.”
The plane, valued at around $400 million, was presented as a gift to the U.S. in advance of the Qatar royal family’s significant diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump has suggested that only “silly people” would reject such a gift, yet some experts and lawmakers have questioned whether the plane could be compromised by wiretapping or other foreign intelligence equipment.
Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who is a leading member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, cautioned that accepting an aircraft from Qatar carries “substantial anti-intelligence risks by allowing foreign access to sensitive systems and communications.”
Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed that the plane’s complex electrical system presents significant challenges in identifying security flaws.
“It’s completely irresponsible to think that the Air Force—while the President makes critical decisions in the situation room—would be using an airplane given by a foreign nation with extensive wiring,” he remarked.
When asked whether he was concerned about potential spying, Durbin responded, “Absolutely.”
“The extensive wiring throughout this aircraft raises questions about whether foreign entities could access key decision-making mechanisms of the President. This is just not sensible,” he added.
Durbin also stated that he would like Attorney General Pam Bondy to testify before Congress concerning the Qatari gift approval process.
“Keep in mind, before she took on the role of Attorney General, she worked as a lobbyist for the Qatari government,” he noted.
