During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny regarding a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar intended for use as Air Force One. Despite the Pentagon's claim of possession, a formal agreement for the transfer remains unsigned. Hegseth declined to provide specifics about safety configurations and costs, which frustrated lawmakers, particularly Sen. Jack Reed. Concerns about transparency and the implications of this deal reflect broader issues related to the Trump administration's dealings with foreign entities.
When challenged about the jet's safety and security standards, Hegseth simply stated, 'That information is not for public consumption,' which deepened concerns about transparency.
Reed expressed frustration over Hegseth's refusal to disclose costs, stating, 'This is the Appropriations Committee of the United States Senate. We appropriate the money that you will spend after it's authorized by my committee.'
Despite the Pentagon claiming to possess the jet, the legal terms of its transfer are not finalized. Aides previously indicated the secretary had accepted the Qatari jet.
Reed described the secrecy surrounding the deal as troubling, mentioning, 'This is about the American public. The plane is not only a bad deal but reflects a more significant issue.'
The lack of transparency raises eyebrows as the administration’s deal with Qatar continues, with key details about costs and safety measures left undisclosed.
Collection
[
|
...
]