Bribery In Plane Sight
There are plenty of things wrong with the proffered gift (to Donald Trump from the rulers of Qatar) of a luxury 747 airplane to serve as a sort of interim Air Force One. For starters, Qatar has "historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level." For another, it's one of many Middle Eastern countries "that horribly abuse women and L.G.B.T. citizens" -- a country that "oppress[es] women, gays and people of different faiths." You could get even more specific: "You talk about women and women's rights? So these are people that push gays off buildings. These are people that kill women and treat women horribly. And yet you take their money." These complaints merely scratch the surface of the wrongness of accepting this plane, but they are relevant because they are all quotes from Donald Trump himself, castigating Hillary Clinton for accepting contributions to the Clinton Foundation from Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries.
That was then, this is now. Now, it is just fine with Trump that Qatar is offering him a $400 million airplane for his own use, which will be transferred to his presidential library after he leaves office. Then there would be nothing to stop him from then having his library just give him the plane as a personal gift for him to use, or he could just park it inside his library, so it could be just as big a draw as the former Air Force One in Ronald Reagan's presidential library.
The whole idea is so corrupt it boggles the mind -- which is actually kind of hard to do with Trump, since his grifting and profiting from his office was already at unprecedented levels -- so staggeringly high and breathtakingly blatant that it's hard to even keep track of it all. But a $400 million airplane is such a much more visible and obvious symbol of corruption that this time even some Republicans are pushing back on the idea.
The first and biggest stumbling block to this corrupt bargain is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, which states quite plainly (using the random capitalization Trump loves, even):
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
This leaves an obvious loophole, of course, since the Republican Congress could indeed vote to allow Trump to accept a $400 million airplane from the royalty of a foreign country. But that might be a hard sell politically, mostly because of all the other problems that would arise from such a gift.
Qatar has, in the past, been a big supporter of Hamas. They've also been a conduit for money and support to other Islamic terrorist groups around the world as well (including Al Qaeda and Hezbollah). The U.S. has a complicated relationship with the country, but they are not exactly a staunch American ally in all things -- they are not the equivalent of Saudi Arabia, to put it another way. Their human rights record, as Trump pointed out on the 2016 campaign trail (to bash Hillary Clinton), is pretty downright abysmal.
An American president accepting such a gift -- one intended to wind up in his own presidential library, no less -- would be seen by most people, both here and worldwide, as exactly what it is: a bribe. A naked and corrupt attempt to curry favor, plain (plane?) and simple. Remember when Republicans thought that was an impeachable offense? Even if the money just went to a president's relative? Do a search on "Hunter Biden" and "Burisma" to see how fervent most Republicans were on the subject, not so long ago. Some of them were rarin' to impeach Joe Biden over all of this, even though they could never come up with a shred of proof that Joe had anything to do with it or did anything in response to it or benefited from it in any way. None of that would even have to be proven if Trump accepts a "flying palace" from Qatar, because it'd be right out there in the open. The signal sent to the rest of the world would be: "Our president is for sale, and this is the going price." Which, by the way, is exactly what the emoluments clause in the Constitution aims to prevent.
Putting aside the Brobdingnagian ethical and constitutional problems for a moment, there are also enormous logistical problems as well. To be brought up to the standards necessary for a plane to fly as Air Force One, it would have to be gutted right down to the bolts and painstakingly rebuilt. As a retired Secret Service agent put it: "You'd pretty much have to take that plane down to the skeleton and put it back together. The security of every individual component is a big deal." This would be necessary to add "state-of-the-art defensive countermeasures, in-flight refueling capability and secure communications equipment." And that's before even taking into consideration securing the plane from eavesdropping. Trump "has signaled his interest in the plane since February, giving adversary intelligence services months to figure out ways to penetrate it."
"This is a flying nuclear-hardened command post," said a former U.S. official with knowledge of Air Force One operations. "It has to have secure capability at multiple levels." The Air Force would have to "rip" open and rebuild the Qatari plane -- which has been flown for years in service of other countries and individuals -- to bring it up to standard, said the official.
Counterintelligence is also a concern, said former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. "We would have to be sure nobody had planted bugs on the airplane," he said.
High-end communications have to be protected from jamming, cyberattacks and nuclear blasts, current and former officials said.
This retrofitting would likely cost hundreds of millions (if not billions) of taxpayer dollars -- negating the whole "free plane" idea. It would also likely take years -- so long that Boeing will likely have delivered the new planes which were ordered to serve as Air Force One years ago. This also negates the ostensible reason Trump wants the plane now -- to serve as a replacement until Boeing does deliver the ordered planes.
Looked at from just about any angle imaginable -- ethically, politically, militarily, logistically, time-wise, budget-wise, for what it would say about America's foreign policy being for sale, or from a national security viewpoint -- this is a monumentally bad idea. Even people like Senator Ted Cruz (normally a Trump sycophant in all things) isn't convinced, stating that the plane "poses significant espionage and surveillance problems."
Somebody needs to get the courts involved, and quickly. The plane "was moved five weeks ago to San Antonio International Airport," and "Trump had commissioned defense contractor L3Harris to retrofit the Qatari plane in Texas." Meaning taxpayer dollars could already have been committed to the project. This needs to stop. And quickly. The constitutional challenge is patently obvious and waiting to be argued before a judge. The sooner this happens, the better.
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Chumps and losers can make do with less dolls and pencils. I'd be stupid to not accept a huge bribe. Times are tough! - Fat Donny
the Republican Congress could indeed vote to allow Trump to accept a $400 million airplane from the royalty of a foreign country.
It's an airplane bribe from a jihadi country. I can harly wait!
I've been reading similar commentaries on the fundamental flaws of this 'gift' airplane, quite aside from the violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution.
As you say, the plane will have to be rebuilt from scratch to make it usable as Air Force One - the very reason that Boeing is currently building dedicated aircraft for the president's use a few years down the road. Nothing - but NOTHING - is off-the-shelf or standard parts for this plane. It's all custom construction and installation, from start to finish. I'm sure the president doesn't understand this and wouldn't care less if he did; he just sees a 'free' high-class airliner for him to own and fly in for the rest of his life.
Rest of his life? Oh....
Another political blog, electoral vote dot com, had this to say on that last front:
"...there's also another possibility that nobody seems to be saying out loud. Thanks to Trump himself, we now know it's possible to build a kill switch into a plane that can be remotely activated. There is no way that such a thing, buried deep in the plane's software, could ever be detected. And it's not at all impossible that the Iranians could call up their clients, the Qataris, and tell them to down the presidential plane and throw the U.S. government into chaos.
"Coupled with the abuse of the emoluments clause, all of this might be a bridge too far. The members of Congress might not be too enthusiastic to pay for modifications that are not going to be fully effective, and that are for a plane that might only get a year or two of presidential use (and then would have to be modified again, to remove the classified stuff).
"Further, few people have a more finely honed instinct for self-preservation than Donald J. Trump. So, someone might get to him and impress upon him that every time he flew on the Qatari plane as president, he would potentially be taking his life into his hands. Of course, he's a credulous fellow who is easily manipulated into thinking that autocratic leaders are his best buddies, so maybe he won't be open to considering this risk."
emoluments really take me back to the good old days of 2017.
it seemed like such a big deal back then that Donald refused to divest from companies that were doing business with foreign governments. what a difference eight years make.
i mean really, it's like he's got someone flipping through the Constitution with a sharpie, going, "due process, check. habeas corpus, check. emoluments, haven't tried that one in awhile. bill of attainder, check. titles of nobility sound interesting, maybe let's try that one next...."
I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that a plane the size of a 747-8 landing at San Antonio International is rare. I phoned a friend and found out the plane is registered as P4-HBJ and has disappeared from most airplane tracking services; however, I discovered it is definitely still listed at this one:
Planespotters
(although it should definitely surprise no one if it subsequently disappears).
It's already listed as belonging to the United States Air Force, and a Boeing 747-8 with the same coloring of white, gray and burgundy as other planes flown by the royal family of Qatar was observed outside the ST Engineering giant orange hangars at San Antonio International with the tail number hidden.
So, yes, this is likely something Trump has already accepted and sent for retrofitting; I cannot imagine otherwise why else it would be there at that location.
As a friendly reminder: All the rest of you ladies and germs are hereby limited to two (2) dolls -- yes, a GI Joe is a doll -- and/or five (5) pencils. Now drop and give me twenty (20).
John From Censornati
1
My sentiments exactly!
OK, sorry for my editorial shorthand, but I'm going back in an attempt to answer comment again. I'll try to post relevant links as I go...
-CW
From 5/6:
MtnCaddy [3] -
"Yes I think we’re getting close to the do Republicans fear Trump more than they fear their Constituents phase of this process."
that is an excellent way to describe it. Not sure we're quite there yet, but well-framed, just had to say that.
-CW
Michale [7] -
OK, that went a long way towards rehabilitation, at least with me. here, I will give you something you'll like, in return...
Ripley (to Jonesy): "And you, you little shit-head... you're staying here."
-CW
Michale [7] -
And because I am in a good mood I am going to ignore the fact that you quoted (ugh!) Tom Cruise as Reacher. The TV show's so much better...
-CW
ok onward... to 5/7...
Michale [5] -
It's a FASCINATING study.. Although there isn't a single specific term in psychology for people who SO intensely hates a person and cannot stop thinking about or talking about them, the behavior can be described using several concepts.
These include fixation, obsession, resentment, and potentially even elements of narcissistic rage. The key is that the person's thoughts and emotions are consumed by the individual they dislike, leading to a VERY unhealthy focus.
There oughta be a name for it.. :D
I'd call it "living rent-free in their minds"... y'know... kinda like you and Obama (or Biden, or Hillary, or whomever)...
(heh)
-CW
moving on again... 5/8...
nypoet22 [14] -
Oooo! Nice classic SNL reference... I like it!
:-)
-CW
CW,
Michale [7] -
OK, that went a long way towards rehabilitation, at least with me. here, I will give you something you'll like, in return...
Ripley (to Jonesy): "And you, you little shit-head... you're staying here."
:D
And because I am in a good mood I am going to ignore the fact that you quoted (ugh!) Tom Cruise as Reacher. The TV show's so much better...
In my defense, I DID specify it as (FAUX) JACK REACHER
:D
Just a heads up... Yesterdays discussion got a little intense.. :D
I'd call it "living rent-free in their minds"... y'know... kinda like you and Obama
Don't forget... I DID vote for Odumbo in 2008.. :D
OK, skipping Friday, can't deal... too late at night, maybe later... sorry...
on to 5/12 (yesterday) -
oh I should mention, I'm embedding permalinks in the numbers (the comment numbers) in these responses... but they're kinda too small to show up, sorry, just hover over the number and click to see what I'm responding too... sorry for being lazy...
-CW
oh jeez... 100 comments?
ok, can't deal with that, either.
Later, later... hopefully... going to watch late-night TV now...
-CW
oh I should mention, I'm embedding permalinks in the numbers (the comment numbers) in these responses... but they're kinda too small to show up, sorry, just hover over the number and click to see what I'm responding too... sorry for being lazy...
That will make it easier to reference what yer responding to..
So, thanx for that.. :D
For another, it's one of many Middle Eastern countries "that horribly abuse women and L.G.B.T. citizens" -- a country that "oppress[es] women, gays and people of different faiths."
Democrats should remember that when they hysterically want to protect muslims from being "persecuted"... :^/ I'm just saying....
"You talk about women and women's rights? So these are people that push gays off buildings. These are people that kill women and treat women horribly. And yet you take their money." These complaints merely scratch the surface of the wrongness of accepting this plane, but they are relevant because they are all quotes from Donald Trump himself, castigating Hillary Clinton for accepting contributions to the Clinton Foundation from Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries.
And yet, Democrats are STILL hysterical about protecting muslim's "rights"...
And (since you bring it up) WHY is it OK for Clinton to accept tens of millions of dollars from Qatar but it's NOT OK for PRESIDENT Trump to get a nice new airplane??
And, since we're on the subject.. Who here still pronounces it as Quatar instead of the ridiculous way "Gutter"???
No where does it state that PRESIDENT Trump would be using the plane as AIR FORCE ONE...
So, have your commentary is simply not relevant to the actual facts..
If it's going to be part of the PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY and then given to PRESIDENT Trump when he leaves office..
I don't see any problems because the plane will NEVER be AIR FORCE ONE...
nypoet22
5
i mean really, it's like he's got someone flipping through the Constitution with a sharpie, going, "due process, check. habeas corpus, check. emoluments, haven't tried that one in awhile. bill of attainder, check. titles of nobility sound interesting, maybe let's try that one next...."
Exactly! Well said. Somebody flip that open for Trump to Article II, Section 4.
Please explain how this isn't a violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution. How on Earth has Pam Bondi determined this doesn't constitute bribery? Probably the same way she determined that in his first 100 days Donald Trump "saved — are you ready for this, media? — 258 million lives."
Nothing says "America First" like a used plane being accepted by the President of the United States (inconsiderate moron) who's putting his own personal interests before those of the country. I think it would be infinitely interesting at this juncture to hear from the "Obama wore a tan suit" crowing GOP wingnuts to give us their thoughts on how this 13-year-old hand-me-down Qatari plane looks on Trump. He and his lawyers and AG cannot be this stupid; however, Trump is definitely greedy enough to attempt to launder a personal gift (grift) for himself through the office of the presidency.
How does this not end up being one of the answers to CW's McLaughlin awards later this year? The sad answer is: Trump does something even more openly unconstitutional in order to enrich himself. You know, like having a meme coin he sells to foreigners and pockets the money personally.
OK, I gotta hit the gym...
Since I have been accepted into the Academy, I have got roughly 8 months to get into shape for the PAT.. :D
I got a professional body builder deputy friend of mine to be my trainer.. He is very mean! :D hehehehe
CW, I look forward to your comments from the TRUMP BACKS DOWN commentary..
Just giving you a fair heads up.. It got pretty intense..
But I hope you read them all to allow you the proper context..
Espeically HERE and HERE
Any who... See ya in about 56 hours or so.. :D
OK, that went a long way towards rehabilitation, at least with me. here, I will give you something you'll like, in return...
Ripley (to Jonesy): "And you, you little shit-head... you're staying here."
Wait a minute did you just call me a little shithead???
:D