Jet raises ethical and security worries…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump considers accepting a free Air Force One replacement from Qatar to be an obvious choice.
“I would never refuse such an offer,” the Republican told reporters on Monday. “I could be foolish and say, ‘No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.'”
Critics of the proposal are concerned that accepting the gift could pose ethical, legal, security, and counterintelligence risks to the symbol of American power.
“This is unprecedented,” said Jessica Levinson, a constitutional law expert at Loyola Law School. “We have not faced these boundaries before.”
In an effort to address opposition, Trump stated that he would not use the gifted Boeing 747 after his term ends. Instead, he plans to donate the $400 million plane to a future presidential library, similar to how President Ronald Reagan’s Boeing 707 was retired and displayed as a museum piece.
Democrats are outraged, and some Republican allies are also expressing worries about the plane. Laura Loomer, a vocal conspiracy theorist, expressed disappointment on social media despite her support for Trump.
Congressional Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, raised concerns about the plan.
Trump is likely to face continued scrutiny regarding the plane as he travels to the Middle East, including a visit to Qatar.
The desire for the Qatari plane stems from the aging Air Force One planes currently in use, which Trump aims to replace. Boeing has been working on retrofitting 747s for the replacement, but the project has faced significant delays and challenges.
The security of the new plane is a major concern, as the current Air Force One planes are equipped with various security features to safeguard the president during travel. Retrofitting the Qatari plane to meet these standards within a tight timeframe poses risks.
Questions have also been raised about the legality and ethics of accepting the plane as a gift. The Constitution prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and national security implications.
While the details of the donation are still being worked out, the White House has assured that it will comply with the law. Critics argue that accepting the plane could compromise safety and invite foreign influence.
Trump’s business dealings and overseas ventures during his second term have raised further ethical concerns, with some questioning the potential conflicts of interest and influence on government decisions.
Democratic senators have criticized Trump’s plan, highlighting the conflict of interest, national security risks, and erosion of public trust in government.
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Condon contributed reporting from New York. Associated Press writers Matt Brown, Lolita Baldor, and Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.