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Controversy Erupts as U.S. Accepts Qatar-Donated Jet for Air Force One
Controversy Erupts as U.S. Accepts Qatar-Donated Jet for Air Force One
Washington, D.C. — A diplomatic firestorm is brewing in the nation’s capital following the U.S. government’s acceptance of a Boeing 747 from Qatar, intended to serve as Air Force One during former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The aircraft—valued at approximately $400 million—was accepted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and has triggered bipartisan outrage, raising constitutional questions, ethical concerns, and national security warnings over the use of a foreign-donated jet as the President’s official plane.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the arrangement in a statement to Fox News, saying, “The Secretary of Defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations. The Department of Defense will ensure that all necessary security protocols and mission requirements are met before the aircraft is used to transport the President. For further information, we refer you to the U.S. Air Force.”
Critics argue the move is not only unprecedented but also dangerous. Lawmakers from both parties expressed alarm over the potential implications of accepting such an extravagant gift from a foreign government.
“This plane poses serious espionage and surveillance risks,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. “We cannot be naïve about the security vulnerabilities that may come with equipment provided by foreign states.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was even more direct: “Donald Trump cannot accept a $400 million flying palace from the royal family of Qatar. This isn’t just unethical—it’s unconstitutional and corrosive to American democracy.”
National security concerns have also been raised by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who cast doubt on Qatar’s reliability as a U.S. ally. “Qatar has supported Hamas and undermined U.S. interests. The idea that we’d entrust our President’s safety to a gift from them is deeply troubling.”
Despite the backlash, the Department of Defense has shown no indication of reversing course. Officials have not disclosed whether the aircraft has begun the rigorous retrofitting process required for Air Force One, a transformation that could cost taxpayers over $1 billion and take several years to complete.
The controversy has reignited broader debates over foreign influence in American governance. While the deal may comply with technical legal standards, critics say it projects the appearance of undue foreign entanglement at the highest levels of power.
“This arrangement is fraught with political, ethical, and constitutional pitfalls,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. “It undermines public trust and invites speculation about ulterior motives.”
Trump, for his part, has dismissed the criticism outright, framing the jet as a patriotic windfall. “It would be foolish not to accept a free jet,” he said. “It’s not for me—it’s for America.”
As the controversy unfolds, fundamental questions remain: Will the Qatar aircraft ultimately be certified as Air Force One—and what message does its acceptance send about American sovereignty, ethics, and presidential power?
Two Dead, Nine Injured in Brown University Shooting
Two students were killed and nine others injured after a gunman opened fire at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, police said.
Authorities have detained a person of interest in his 20s, who is now cooperating with investigators.
The attack occurred around 4:00 p.m. local time (21:00 GMT) at the Holley Engineering Building on the eastern end of the university campus.
Police said the identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all those affected, including the deceased, were students.
In a statement on Sunday, Paxson said parts of the campus remained restricted as police continued investigations.
She added that around 2,000 students were relocated to safe locations overnight and expressed gratitude to local residents who opened their homes to students.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said seven of the injured students were in stable condition, one was critical, and another had been discharged.
The mayor, who visited victims and their families in hospital, described their courage as “overwhelming” and confirmed that the shelter-in-place order issued earlier had been lifted.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the suspect was detained at a hotel in Coventry early Sunday morning based on a lead from Providence Police.
Police Chief Oscar Perez confirmed that officers were no longer searching for additional suspects and were working closely with prosecutors to collect evidence.
President Donald Trump, speaking at the White House, expressed sympathy for the families of the two deceased students and wished a speedy recovery for the nine injured.
The shooting brings the number of mass shootings in the United States in 2025 to 389, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines mass shootings as incidents with four or more victims killed or injured, not including the attacker.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant as the investigation continues, while a vigil is scheduled for Sunday evening to support the Brown University community.
Bondi Beach Attack: 15 Dead, Father-Son Gunmen Behind Shooting
A mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Saturday left 15 people dead, including a child aged 10, during a Hanukkah celebration. Authorities are treating the incident as a terror attack.
Police confirmed the shooters were a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son.
The father died at the scene, while the son remains in critical condition.
The 50-year-old was a licensed firearms holder; six guns and two improvised devices were recovered from the site.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack “an act of pure evil”, saying it deliberately targeted the Jewish community, and promised full resources to support the investigation and combat antisemitism.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said quick response, informed by last year’s Bondi stabbing, helped save lives.
328 officers have been deployed to protect Sydney’s Jewish community, while two properties in western Sydney were searched overnight.
Among the victims was British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger. Eyewitnesses described the chaos, with some saying the gunfire felt like it lasted “an eternity.”
Authorities continue to investigate the attack as Australians reel from the tragedy.
Trump Reacts as ISIS Kills Three Americans in Syria
President Donald Trump has pledged a “very serious retaliation” after an ambush in central Syria on Saturday, killing two U.S. service members and one American civilian interpreter, an attack the United States blames on the Islamic State (ISIS) group.
In a statement and social‑media post, Trump described the assault near Palmyra—a region still volatile and not fully controlled by the Syrian government—as “an ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria.”
He mourned the three victims as “great American patriots” and confirmed that three other U.S. soldiers wounded in the attack are recovering.
Speaking from the White House before departing for a public event, the president said he expected a firm U.S. response, noting that there will be “very serious retaliation” against ISIS and any group that targets American forces.
Trump noted that Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, whose government has been cooperating with U.S. forces in counter‑terrorism operations, was “extremely angry and disturbed” by the incident.
The ambush occurred as U.S. troops were engaged in a counter‑terrorism mission alongside Syrian partners; the suspected attacker was killed by coalition forces, U.S. Central Command said.
The identities and units of the deceased are being withheld pending family notification.
Defense officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, echoed Trump’s stance, issuing stark warnings that the U.S. will pursue individuals or groups that target Americans.
The U.S. maintains a force of around 900 troops in Syria as part of ongoing operations against ISIS remnants, despite the group’s loss of territorial control years earlier.
The attack is the first fatal incident involving U.S. personnel in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, highlighting persistent security challenges and raising questions about the future scope of U.S. military engagement in the region.
Buhari, Power and the Burden of Integrity, by Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Two Dead, Nine Injured in Brown University Shooting
Bondi Beach Attack: 15 Dead, Father-Son Gunmen Behind Shooting
Pastor Jerry Eze Defends Miracles At UK Conference Amidst Criticism And Controversy
Diaspora Watch 20th Edition (October 14-20, 2024): Your Trusted Source for Global News and Insights
