U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blocked all political nominations to the Department of Justice (DOJ) until Trump administration responds to questions about accepting a luxury jet from Qatar.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer said: “In light of the deeply troubled news of a possible Qatari-funded Air Force One and reports that the Attorney General personally signed off on this clearly unethical deal, I am announcing a hold on all DOJ political nominees until we get more answers.”
Schumer raised concerns after it was revealed that the Qatari government offered the aircraft to serve as Air Force One, according to media reports on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump described the plane as “a very nice gesture” and said it would eventually be donated to his presidential library.
According to an NBC News report, the DOJ declared the gift legal in a memo approved by Attorney General Pam Bondi, but the department has refused to release the memo.
Schumer said Bondi must testify before the Congress to explain why the gift does not violate the U.S. Constitution’s emoluments clause, which bars presidents from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval.
He further vowed to maintain the hold until complete and comprehensive answers are provided.
Before his Middle East trip, Trump defended the move by saying: “I would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer. (AA/NAN)
